Flooding update from Westmeath County Council

Flooding update from Westmeath County Council

Friday December 11, noon

Water levels in the River Shannon are continuing to rise slowly and are being monitored by Westmeath County Council.

Over the last 24 hours, water levels increased by approximately 40mm. At this stage, no houses have been flooded in Athlone town but one house has been inundated in the rural area to the south of the town.

The council is expecting an updated ESB forecast today and a further statement will issue when this is to hand.

The current flooding in Athlone is having a severe effect on a small portion of the town but the effects are localised and there is no impact on the town at large.

All transport links, streets, car parks and commercial areas are operating normally and will continue to do so over the weekend and into next week.

Westmeath County Council has activated its Flood Emergency Response Plan and a meeting of the interagency Response Committee is held each day at 11am.

At today’s meeting, chaired by Westmeath County Council and attended by representatives of An Garda Síochána, Irish Water, the Defence Forces, the Department of Social Protection and the HSE, it was agreed that the agencies would continue to assist people to protect their homes and businesses, to provide transport where this is required and to provide other humanitarian assistance. At the meeting, Irish Water advised that there is no issue with the quality of water supplied through the public system at the present time.

A further update will issue following receipt of an updated ESB forecast on river levels later today.