Hundreds of home and business owners on the west coast are bracing themselves for further destruction as river levels continue to rise.
Up to 80mm more rainfall is expected over the coming days.
The full cost of the damage so far is not yet clear but is likely to run to millions as images of submerged homes, farms, towns and villages emerge and the testimonies of those affected are heard.
A resident in Carraroe outside Sligo on Thursday said she had been forced to use a boat to navigate water up to 20ft deep around her home.
Raw sewage
Some families along the Shannon in Co Clare have left their homes, while further upstream in Athlone as many as 90 homes are at immediate risk. Other towns along the Shannon have reported raw sewage in the streets. Six units of the Defence Forces have been deployed to help relief efforts in areas between Sligo and Cork as the clean-up continues in towns such as Ballinasloe and Athleague.
The National Emergency Co-ordination Committee has been meeting every day for much of the past week while Government Departments and State agencies attempt to ensure a co-ordinated response to the flooding.
Met Éireann deputy head of forecasting Evelyn Cusack told Thursday’s meeting there could be further accumulations of 50-80mm of rainfall on Saturday. A typical weather front brings approximately 10mm.
Status yellow
Ms Cusack said the national forecaster would “at the very least” be issuing a status yellow rainfall warning for the west coast but there was a real possibility of a status orange alert being issued.
The Office of Public Works confirmed that gauges on all parts of the Shannon registered increased water levels in recent days. In some parts, the water rose six inches in just 48 hours. Levels are expected to continue rising until Monday or Tuesday.
Minister for Defence Simon Coveney also outlined details of how the Government’s flood relief fund would work. Small businesses will be asked to submit an online form signed by a local authority declaring the damage. The first stage will provide a contribution of €5,000. The level of support will be capped at €20,000.
