RESCUE EFFORT:ABOUT 1,500 people have been evacuated from their homes as a result of flooding throughout the State in the past week, according to the emergency body co-ordinating the response.
Chairman of the National Emergency Response Co-ordination Committee Seán Hogan said yesterday that between 500 and 600 homes had been evacuated.
The information has emerged as insurance firm Hibernian Aviva estimated the insurance cost of flood damage to homes and businesses around the country may exceed €250 million – 2½ times the cost of the claims following flooding in August 2008, according to the company.
In Kildare, about 11 families were evacuated from apartments at Waterways estate in Sallins. Kildare County Council staff have not yet been able to assess the situation there as the estate is not under the management of the council.
Celbridge, Leixlip, Sallins and Johnstown were the towns worst affected by floods.
The council said the situation in Kildare had improved “greatly” overnight on Sunday and into yesterday morning, with many of the localised floods now relieved. Water levels were reducing in the middle Liffey and its tributaries.
Kildare County Council was receiving calls at the rate of about 600 an hour at one stage on Sunday, with about 4,000 calls in total received over a two-day period.
In the Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council areas, the worst-affected areas along the Liffey were Lucan, Chapelizod and the Strawberry Beds.
Mr Hogan said the flooding on the Liffey had peaked and was abating slowly.
Levels on the Poulaphouca dam – one of three operated by the ESB on the Liffey – remained high yesterday and water was being discharged in a “controlled and gradual way”.
In Cork, most homes that have been without water in recent days should by now have their supply restored. It is anticipated that the boil notice in Cork city may be lifted today.
Mr Hogan said that in the Clare County Council area the situation had stabilised.
Authorities in Limerick are on alert due to expected rainfall and spring tides today. The OPW has completed an embankment in the Shannon Banks area in preparation for the high tides.
In Galway, there is still “ongoing concern” in the Clonfert and south Galway area, and local authorities are working with communities there, Mr Hogan said. “In Westmeath, it is anticipated the water will take some weeks to recede. The local authorities continue to monitor the situation.”
Met Éireann said today will be cloudy, wet and windy for a time, with some heavy outbreaks of rain in places.