South Galway and parts of the north and east remained on flood alert today as water levels fell in parts and rose in other areas of the county.
With more heavy rain forecast for later in the week, efforts are continuing between State agencies and community volunteers to relieve families who have been forced out of their homes. The south Galway town of Portumna was bracing itself for problems as levels on the river Shannon rose, while Gort is continuing to fight what has been described as a "losing battle" to pump water out of Crowe street.
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) is holding an emergency meeting in Gort, amid concerns that communities in isolated areas are receiving little or no assistance due to stretched resources.
The IFA said it wished to do what it could to help farmers and the wider community. Among those affected directly in south Galway has been Fine Gael councillor Bridie Willers, whose Ardrahan home has flooded.
The main bridge over the river Suck in Ballinasloe has re-opened to local traffic. However, in spite of appeals to avoid the town, commuters have been using the N6 through Ballinasloe again. The M6 Ballinasloe to Galway motorway remains open temporarily at two sections.
Pressure on the only route from north Galway into the city, via the N84, eased somewhat today when one lane of the N17 Galway-Sligo route was re-opened before lunchtime at Claregalway.
Labour Party councillor Colm Keaveney described as "beyond belief" an instruction by local authorities to "retained" or part-time fire fighters not to respond to calls from members of their communities.
"The retained fire fighters form the backbone of the emergency services all around the country, particularly in small towns, villages and rural areas,"he said.
HSE West said yesterday that people who are experiencing hardship due to the unprecedented flooding in Co Galway in recent days are encouraged to phone their local Community Welfare Officer in their local health centre, and an appointment will be arranged "as quickly as possible".
Exceptional needs payments can be made to people on social welfare or HSE payments, and alternatively an urgent needs payment can be made to people who have suffered flood damage, but would not normally be entitled to social welfare.
The urgent needs payments can assist with food, clothing and household goods. Payments are means-tested, and subject to assessment by community welfare officers, the HSE West said.
The HSE in Galway and Galway county council area has also begun contacting people where they are aware that homes have been affected by flooding to establish requirements, and a telephone line has been set up to provide advice. It said details of the telephone number would be "available and publicised shortly".
Irish Coast Guard (ICG) crews were monitoring water levels on the Shannon today, following further increased release of water from the ESB's Parteen Weir this morning.
ICG's Killaloe unit has received supported from volunteers with the Doolin unit in Co Clare.
In a statement this evening, the ESB said there will be no increase in the current discharge rate overnight.
However, it previously said it has no option but to reduce pressure on Lough Derg if a "catastrophic" flooding on the 35km Shannon stretch which it controls to Limerick is to be averted. It has been spilling water for some days at Parteen, and has been liaising with an inter-agency group involving the four local authorities directly affected.
