Local Authorities In Midlands Issue Flooding Updates For This Evening

Thursday, 27 February 2020 16:48

A number of roads in Offaly remain closed.

The ESB is predicting that water levels in the river Shannon will not stop rising until Sunday.

The highest estimated level is 39.3mOD, about 6cm above the current level.

Westmeath County Council are confident that flood defences in Athlone will be able to prevent disruption there.

However, they are ready for further issues surrounding access and transport in rural areas and say assistance will be provided as the need arises.

Westmeath County Council Statement In Full:

Water levels in the River Shannon are continuing to rise slowly.

The Council is in receipt of an ESB forecast of river levels for the next 5 days and this is indicating that the River Shannon in Athlone will continue to rise up to Sunday 1 st March 2020.

The highest predicted level is 39.30mOD, which is approximately 6cm above current levels.

The combination of permanent and temporary flood defences in Athlone town is proving to be effective in preventing significant flooding and it is
anticipated that the predicted rise of 6cm by Sunday 1 March will not cause major difficulties in the town.

However, the inundation of rural areas adjacent to the Shannon is causing major issues for rural residents and farmers. Assistance is
being provided to people in these areas and this will be widened as the need arises in terms of transport and other services over the coming
days.

Elsewhere, Offaly County Council are advising that a number of roads remains closed because of the flooding.

Statement In Full:

Offaly County Council continues to monitor river levels in the County. We are prepared for the deployment of defence measures if required and our crews continue to respond to localised flooding.

The following roads are currently closed due to flooding:

Botley Lane, Portarlington L50151 remains closed due to flooding; local diversions are in place;
The Shannon Harbour to Banagher Road L7014-1 remains closed due to flooding;