The army has been deployed in Ballinasloe this morning to help with sandbagging as water run-off from high ground causes the river levels to rise.
Members of the Civil Defence and volunteers have been working through the night to help protect homes and businesses in the centre of the town.
Seprately, a ‘Formal EFAS Flood Notification’ has been issued from the European Flood Awareness System (EFAS) predicting a high probability of flooding on the River Shannon beginning on Monday 7th December with a peak predicted on Thursday 10th December.
Meanwhile, some roads and villages are still hit by the severe flooding this morning with Craughwell being one of the worse hit as the village is still closed.
Gort Gardai say that looks likely to be the situation for another 24 hours.
PRESS PLAY ▻ TO WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE
Meanwhile on the Loughrea to Athenry section of the motorway is flooded eastbound, while westbound, the hard shoulder is flooded.
The R446 from Craughwell to Loughrea remains closed.
In other areas around the county many sideroads in places such as St Clerans, Ballymana, Clostoken, Castledaly, and Ballinakill are severely flooded as are parts of the road south towards Kinvara.
The Gloves to Athenry Road was also impassable earlier today but elswhere the main routes, such as the N17 which was severly flooded at Claregalway last evening, is now back to normal with only some minor spot flooding there and at Two Mile Ditch.
The ESB say that about 90 homes, mostly in the Lettermore area, and about 20 north of Tuam, off the Dunmore Road, are still without power this morning but crews are working to have power restored to those areas.
The County Council have issued the following update and flooding advisory:
Flood levels remain significant across the road network rising in some instances due to run off/rising river levels.
National routes across the county continue to be impacted by flooding incl. the N17 Galway/Tuam, N18 Oranmore/Gort, N59 Galway/Clifden/Leenane, N63 Galway/Roscommon, N65 Loughrea/Portumna, N66 Loughrea/Gort, N67 Kilcolgan / Kinvara & N84 Galway/Headford. Please observe signage and temporary traffic controls in place.
Regional Roads in Conamara, Loughrea, Athenry/Oranmore, Tuam and Ballinasloe continue remain impacted by flood levels and continued caution is required.
Flooding also remains on local roads, while some roads may present as impassable with caution/detours required.
Emergency crews are continuing to respond to incidents and hazards including flooding, debris etc across the county.
Motorists are advised to continue to exercise extreme caution when driving and obey all signage regarding closed roads and flooding. In particular do not enter roads which are flooded, unless you are aware of the depth of the floods and that it is safe to drive through them.
Please take the time this morning to check in with elderly relatives, friends & neighbours in the aftermath of Storm Desmond.
Please observe the following advice in the interests of your own and others safety:
•Don’t try to walk or drive through floodwater – 150 mm (six inches) of fast flowing water can knock you over and 600mm (two feet) of water will float your car.
•Don’t walk on sea defences, riverbanks or cross river bridges – they may collapse in extreme situations or you may be swept off by large waves.
•Take care when walking through shallow water – manhole covers may have come off and there may be other underwater hazards.
•Avoid contact with floodwater – it may be contaminated with sewage.
• Never try to swim through fast flowing water – you may get swept away or struck by an object in the water.
• Beware of flooding at dips in the roads, bridges and low spots – turn back if the road is flooded.
• Beware of pebbles and stones being thrown up by waves – they may hit you, your car or your home.
• Try to keep calm, and to reassure others – especially children.
The post Army deployed to help with sandbagging appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.