Met Eireann has forecasted a dry start to the day in the Midlands, but scattered showers in the west and northwest will extend to all areas later, turning heavy at times with a risk of thunder.
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The ESB said it had reduced the spill at Inniscarra Dam in County Cork, after increasing its discharge earlier in the week to draw down reservoir levels.
Update 8.16am: Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange weather warning for the weekend.
Water levels are expected to peak at the weekend, with fears that they could reach levels of flooding last seen in 2009.
A Status Yellow snow-ice warning is in force for counties Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Leitrim.
Large areas of Ireland are under water today after the deluge that was Storm Desmond.
The National Coordination Group on Recent Severe Weather says, “local authorities remain on standby and continue to monitor the situation and in the areas where further flooding may occur they are making the necessary preparations”.
Some of the worst hit areas include Athlone, where strong winds were compounding the problem of a rising river and scores of homes and businesses in the oldest parts of the town were left to defend themselves with sandbags but expect the worst.
“At the moment the increase in water discharge from Parteen Weir combined with the rain that has fallen is increasing the flood levels around the Montpelier and Castleconnell areas and down the Mountshannon road so that’s obviously posing an added challenge to our workers and residents trying to keep the flood levels back”, he said.
The phoneline, which is being established in order to deal with requests for assistance from the public, will operate from 7am tomorrow morning (Saturday).
A number of chalet homes north of the River Shannon bridge were flooded yesterday and Westmeath County Council moved two families from homes that were threatened with flooding.
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People can contact the service on 1890-252-943.
