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.
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Western counties like Clare and Limerick took a battering over the weekend from Storm Desmond and county councils have warned of further flooding later this week.
Status Yellow Rainfall Warning: Connacht, Donegal, Clare, Kerry 20-35 mm of additional rain expected.
Fresh drinking water distribution points have also been set up in many areas including by the Red Cross in Athlone, Portumna and Montpelier.
“It’s filling and continuing to rise and may not peak until later in the week, so obviously people in that area who are in vulnerable areas by the Shannon still remain at risk of flooding”, he said.
On Wednesday, members of the Defence Forces arrived in Clonlara to deliver sandbags after Clare County Council sought their assistance.
In Limerick seven pumps were in operation shifting water away from the villages of Castleconnell and Montpelier while an inflatable flood boom, which acts like movable defence wall, was being used to channel some of the floods. Sean Hogan, chair of the National Coordination Group which works with the relevant authorities during adverse weather, said Shannon-side residents should be on alert.
Fears have been expressed that a further increase of water from Parteen Weir would result in a number of homes becoming flooded but the ESB now says it won’t increase the release of water from 375 cubic metres per second today. “It happens once every couple of years”, explained Vincent Murray, Senior Engineer, Limerick City and County Council.
“Council staff, assisted by members of the defence forces, are continuing to implement flood defence measures along the river bank and coordinate with local property owners”, the council said.
Thousands of acres of farmland are under water with the Government putting a €5 million emergency response fund available to those worst affected.
The army has been called in to assist in the flood defence process which will continue throughout the week and into the weekend.
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“Troops and transport assets remain on “notice to move” to Co Donegal, Galway, Athlone, Limerick and Cork”, they said.
