Updated 14.20
WEATHER ALERTS ARE in place across the country as Ireland enters another weekend of turbulent weather.
With many places still reeling from the impact of Storm Desmond, further flooding and damage is expected.
Met Éireann has issued a status orange alert is in place for Clare, Cork and Kerry, where between 30 to 50 mm of rainfall is expected.
A status yellow warning is in place for Munster, much of Leinster and much of Connacht.
Temperatures this afternoon are expected to reach between 3 and 5 degrees.
There has also been a snow-ice warning for Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Mayo and Roscommon, with many areas waking up to snow this morning.
This was the scene in Monaghan earlier today:
Earlier this morning a meeting of the National Emergency Coordination Centre assessed the response to the weather that has been taking place to date.
The body is comprised of the Office of Public Works, the ESB, HSE, Civil Defence, Coast Guard, Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána and Met Éireann.
It has reported that around the country local authorities have been making preparations for further flooding with the Defence Forces assisted where needed.
The group has also reminded the public not to walk along riverbanks at this time and that anyone visiting a coastal area should take care.
Yesterday the government announced the establishment of a €5 million fund to help small businesses who have suffered as a result of the weather. It is targeted at businesses in towns that have been recognised as at flood risk by the OPW and unable to access flood risk insurance.
Homeowners living close to the River Shannon are also set for more flooding with the ESB releasing a statement earlier this morning that water flow through the Parteen Weir hydro-dam will be increased to 405 cubic metres per second.
Levels of Lough Derg are being monitored and further flooding of roads, land and property is likely.
Areas that are expected to be impacted are:
Springfield, Montpellier, Castleconnell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick.
In response to the further flooding, the Department of Social Protection has activated its Humanitarian Assistance Scheme which will be administered by the Community Welfare Service.
The purpose of this is to provide support to those impacted as quickly as possible, with it helping those affected with emergency income support, replacement of goods and household items and more long term financial aid for the repair of property.
The Irish Farmers Association has also announced that it is re-activating its volunteer teams of officers to assist those impacted by the flooding.
These officers will help individuals build flood defences with sandbags and operate water pumps.
Chairman of the IFA flood project team Tom Turley, said: “For anybody who is stranded, we have machinery to get them out of their home and bring them to safety. We can also clear debris from roads to allow cars to travel safely.”
- First published 12.00pm
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say