Severe Flood Risk Warning Issued In County Clare

The Clare Crisis Management Centre this evening issued a severe flood risk warning to all parts of Clare, as well as repeating its warning of further flooding along the lower River Shannon over the coming days. The warnings have been issued following further heavy rainfall across the County today.

One family was evacuated in Carron, north Clare, earlier today due to rising flood levels while numerous roads have been closed.

In a joint statement the Mayor of Clare Councillor Tony Mulcahy and Mayor of Ennis Councillor Frankie Neylon warned of a severe flood risk for Ennis, South East Clare and other parts of the County.

The Mayors stated: “Members of the public should realise that by failing to cooperate with the emergency services they are placing their own lives and the lives of others at risk. Clare is in an emergency situation where total cooperation is required. The situation will get worse before it gets better.”

“It is very likely that areas previously affected by flood waters in recent days will again experience flooding over the coming days. As flood response efforts continue across County Clare and the wider region we would strongly appeal to members of the public to continue to heed the advice of the emergency services so as to ensure their own safety”, the Mayors added.

Both Mayors also praised the emergency services and local authority staff for their response to the ongoing flooding crisis. They said: “It is important to recognise the considerable efforts of hundreds of emergency service personnel and local authority staff who have been working tirelessly since last Thursday to ensure that life and property have been protected. It is also important to acknowledge the decision by members of SIPTU, IMPACT and the TEEU to defer their planned industrial action in Clare today. This is a very welcome move as it has enabled recovery efforts to be carried out with maximum efficiency.”

Meanwhile, Clare County Council engineers continue to monitor flood levels throughout the County. The Inter-Agency Response Team, comprising local authority staff, Clare County Fire and Rescue, the ESB, the Army, the HSE and Gardai, will meet this evening to discuss the ongoing flood response efforts in County Clare.

Agencies have requested that the public, particularly motorists, who are not directly involved in the flood response to keep clear of flooded areas. The Emergency Response including the Help Line 1890-252-943 will continue on a 24-hr basis until further notice. Information is also available on the Clare County Council Website www.clarecoco.ie

Members of the public are reminded to avoid contact with flood waters and to check on any elderly or infirm neighbours. Parents are asked to be particularly vigilant with children.

LOWER RIVER SHANNON FLOOD RISK:
- A flood warning remains in place along the lower River Shannon owing to increasing levels of water in the Shannon system. The areas concerned are O’Briensbridge, Clonlara, Westbury and Shannon Banks. The emergency services are continuing to monitor the situation, in conjunction with the ESB at Ardnacrusha.
- It has been confirmed at 12.40pm today that the ESB will not be increasing the release of water at Parteen today. ESB has advised “The level in Lough Derg stabilised overnight. However, further rainfall is forecast for today and inflows to the lake remain high. The situation is under constant review.
- 22 families were evacuated last night from homes in the Hampstead Park, Shannon Banks, and 3 families were evacuated from Springfield Drive in Castleconnell. No further evacuations have taken place overnight or this morning.
- Sandbags are available for collection from Parteen GAA Club and Clonlara Golf Club.

ENNIS:
- The industrial estate in the Gort Road in Ennis is closed to vehicular traffic currently. This will be reviewed tomorrow

ROAD CLOSURES IN CLARE:
- Clare County Council has erected closure notices on the main bridge in Sixmilebridge. The Local Authority has expressed concerns over the safety of the bridge structure. Diversions are in place. The R471 Shannon to Sixmilebridge Road – a diversion is in place at Ministers Cross along the L3040 to Bunratty. The R470 Newmarket on Fergus to Sixmilebridge Road – diversion along L3020. The R470 – diversion in place through L7024 at Annamore Bridge.
- Regional Road R483, 1 km north of Cooraclare (between Cooraclare and Cree), reduced to one lane due to road subsidence, traffic lights will operate through the night.

SCHOOL CLOSURES:
- Agencies have advised school authorities that are considering opening to students tomorrow that if the school building is determined as safe that opening should only occur on the basis that students remain within the school during school hours. In particular, students are required to remain there at lunchtime. Parents should contact school authorities directly to verify arrangements.

-ENDS-

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Connolly, Ennis, Co Clare, IRELAND
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