Mid West Remains On Flood Alert

Emergency services continue to work around the in areas affected by severe flooding as more rainfall is forecast by Met Eireann.

As the emergency situation worsens in man western areas, Met Eireann have forecast more rainfall with amounts of between 15 and 30mm expected to accumulate today; with the highest totals most likely to fall in areas already flooded.

Some 20 homes remain evacuated in the Shannon Banks - Corbally area of Limerick as a number of minor routes around the city remain impassable.

The region remains on high alert after more rainfall last night and the releasing of more water by the Electricity Supply Board at Parteen Weir to reduce pressure on its power station at Ardnacrusha.

Almost all the main roads in Cork city are now clear but thousands of people are still without a water supply in their homes.

The main Dublin to Galway road is still closed at Ballinsaloe as is the Galway to Sligo road at Claregalway.

In Galway, a total of 65 roads in the county are closed to traffic with more flooded but passable with extreme caution.

Responding to the severity of the problem, the Impact Trade Union has announced the withdrawal of strike action in the badly hit Cork area.

In a letter to the HSE, IMPACT Assistant General Secretary Marie Levis stated that the union has withdrawn the strike notice in order to allow staff in the HSE Cork to respond to the "hardship and genuine emergency situations that now exist as a consequence of the serious flooding in Cork City and County".

Impact general secretary Peter McLoone said that, while public servants were determined to resist the Governments plans for a second public service pay cut this year, they would not let down their communities in the midst of a genuine crisis.

"Public servants have a valid case for industrial action, which was backed by huge majorities across all unions. But they will not be found wanting if they are needed by their communities in these difficult and extraordinary situations.

"Managers in communities experiencing genuine difficulties because of the bad weather should immediately contact the local IMPACT representatives who will respond positively where there is widespread hardship or genuine emergency situations," he said.

(DW/BMcC)