Updated: 21.20
SOME 260 HOMES across the country have been flooded, while another 230 are under immediate threat.
The National Co-ordination Group, which met again today, said a further 130 houses remain marooned.
Some 137 members of the Defence Forces have been deployed to aid local authorities nationwide in the past 24 hours. Soldiers are on one-hour notice to move at military installations across the country, should they be requested to do so.
Irish Water has said a precautionary boil water notice for 10,000 homes in Cork will remain in place over the coming days.
Impassable roads
The N25 Cork to Waterford Road between Killeagh and Castlemartyr is currently impassable due to flooding.
An Garda Síochána said efforts to open the road are continuing.
Signed diversions are in place from Killeagh via Mogeely into Castlemartyr but there will be severe traffic restrictions and these diversion routes are now unsuitable for any HGV traffic.
The R72 Fermoy to Dungarvan Road is also currently impassable at Ballyrafter and efforts to open it are also ongoing. The Garda Press Office noted: “There should be no deviation from the signed diversion route as roads off the route are impassable.”
From 9pm tonight the following diversions as agreed between An Garda Síochána and Cork and Waterford County Councils:
Westbound Traffic
Waterford to Cork traffic is urged to use the N24 Waterford to Cahir and then the M8/N8 route to Cork.
Dungarvan/Youghal to Cork HGV traffic will be diverted at Rincrew Roundabout (Youghal Bridge) via Tallow (R634) and onto the N72 to Fermoy and then onto the N8/M8 to Cork.
Eastbound Traffic
Cork to Waterford traffic is urged to use the N8/M8 Cork to Dublin Road and turn off at Cahir, then on to the N24 to Waterford.
Cork to Youghal/Dungarvan Traffic is urged to travel via the N8/M8 to Fermoy and then take the N72 and R634 to Youghal.
Midleton HGV Traffic wishing to travel in the Waterford direction should travel to Jack Lynch Tunnel and then onto the N8/M8 to Fermoy.
More information on diversions throughout the country is available here.
Flooding
Met Éireann is warning that even a normal amount of rainfall could cause further flooding in certain areas.
Homes in Clonmel were evacuated overnight as the local authority prepared for the River Suir to burst its banks.
The water levels in the River Suir remained at 3.8 metres overnight and it would be impossible to access the houses if the water level reached four metres.
This led to the evacuation of the Kilganey area of Clonmel. However residents have since been advised this afternoon that they can return to their homes.
A number of houses in Athlone were also evacuated after flood waters breached record 2009 levels.
Tipperary County Council Crisis Management Team say the immediate high flooding risk has abated in Clonmel, Cahir, Ardfinnan and Kilsheelan.
Normal January weather conditions are expected over the next few days and the situation will continue to be closely monitored.
The Defence Forces are assisting local authorities in dealing with the situation.
Weather warning
Met Éireann has issued a status yellow rainfall warning for Cork and Kerry. Rainfall totals of up to 40 millimetres are forecast in the region. The alert will stay in place until midnight.
The public are also being advised to be vigilant when travelling on roads as there may be local flooding and downed trees.
As many people prepare to return to work on Monday they are advised to check locally of possible flooding incidents or any other difficulties they might encounter while travelling.
Many roads throughout the country remain closed. A full list of the roads affected is available here.
People living along the Liffey in Kildare are also on flood alert after the ESB increased the rate of water going through the Pollaphuca reservoir yesterday due to very heavy rainfall in the River Liffey catchment area. Kilcullen, Clane, Newbridge, Straffan and Celbridge are at risk.
Limerick City and County Council says water levels on the Lower River Shannon at Castleconnell have increased by half an inch during the past 24 hours.
The council has deployed additional pumps to Castleconnell and Montpelier where pumping operations have been ongoing for the past month.
Meanwhile, Clare County Council says water levels on the Lower River Shannon at Springfield and Clonlara dropped slightly overnight and are now two inches below the peak flood level of 2009.
The ESB announced today that the flow of water through Parteen Weir will remain at 470 cubic metres per second today but that the situation will be reviewed again tomorrow.
The levels in Lough Derg may reach 2009 levels in the coming days and, as a result, the flow through Parteen Weir may increase to 500 cubic metres per second.
This level of water flow will have increased associated flooding to land and property in the vicinity of the Shannon downstream of Parteen Weir including the areas of Springfield, Montpelier, Castleconnell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick.
President Michael D. Higgins announced today that he will visit flood affected communities in South Galway and Enniscorthy, Wexford tomorrow.
Flooding advice on identifying flooding risks, protecting property against flooding, necessary steps to be taken if a property is flooded, and assessing and repairing property damaged by flooding is available on www.flooding.ie.
- with reporting by Órla Ryan
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