AS FURTHER heavy rain was forecast in the west, the long, slow clear-up was continuing yesterday in areas where flood levels were beginning to recede.
However, many people will not be back in their homes before Christmas, and a number of key roads were still closed or “flooded but passable”.
Galway County Council warned last evening that water levels were “continuing to rise in some areas”.
Levels on the Shannon callows near Portumna in south Galway were reported to be diminishing slightly yesterday, but the ESB said levels in Lough Derg were at a “record high”. The board increased discharge levels at Parteen weir yesterday morning by up to 8 per cent.
The ESB warned this was expected to cause increased flood levels downstream of the weir by an estimated three inches. It said a slight fall in levels was detected downstream yesterday morning in some locations.
In east Galway, Ballinasloe’s precautionary boil water notice has been extended by two months.
Former Ballinasloe mayor and Fine Gael councillor Michael Mullins said he hoped the Army would remain in the town during the clear-up period, which is expected to take weeks if floods do not recur.
At least 150 houses and apartments, along with businesses, have been affected by the flooding in Ballinasloe since the river Suck burst its banks last week, with River Street and housing in the Derrymullen area being worst hit.
The Defence Forces have 140 staff and 30 vehicles deployed in Cork, Ennis, Limerick, Galway and Athlone, providing emergency assistance.
