FLOOD warnings have been issued for residential areas on the Limerick and Clare border this Monday as the excessively high water levels left in the wake of Storm Desmond continue to trouble home and farm owners throughout the country.
It is understood that Clare County Council says it has been informed by the ESB of plans for a further significant release of water from the Parteen Weir.
The Council says the volume of water planned for release is at a level which is likely to cause flooding of roads and could also potentially affect property in flood prone locations.
The local authorities in both Limerick and Clare have engaged with the ESB so as to fully prepare and give notice to all potentially affected property owners in the southeast Clare area.
Clare County Council is distributing sandbags to property owners in the Springfield area of Clonlara. It is also liaising with people with reduced mobility to ensure they are provided with access to and from their homes in the event of flooding.
The Council will continue to monitor the “evolving situation”, in consultation with the ESB, An Garda Síochána and Limerick City and County Council.
The ESB said “As the water in Lough Derg continues to rise, an increase in the level of water flowing down the old River Shannon will be required over the next number of days.
“This increased volume of water is likely to lead to associated flooding of roads, land and property in the vicinity of the old River Shannon downstream of Parteen Weir including the areas of Springfield, Montpellier, Castle Connell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick”
Limerick City and County Council is advising property owners in flood-prone locations, and motorists, to exercise vigilance over the coming days.
The Council is also calling on property owners and landowners to ensure that drains and gullies on their property are kept clear to assist in the run-off of water.
Flooding advice is available on www.flooding.ie. Information included on the website includes advice on identifying flooding risks, protecting property against flooding, necessary steps to be taken if a property is flooded and accessing and repairing property damaged by flooding.
Limerick City and County Council’s Severe Weather Crisis Management Team has met and will continue to monitor the situation over the coming days. Further updates will issue as necessary.
