Galway Bay fm newsroom – The situation across Galway remains grave this afternoon in the wake of Storm Desmond as the counties rivers continue to swell.
The Army is working in Portumna and Ballinasloe to hold back rapidly rising waters; serious concerns are being expressed for the Claregalway region and Craughwell remains completely cut off this afternoon.
Galway saw 100mm of rainfall over the weekend – that means an entire months worth of rain hit the county in just 36 hours.
The Shannon, Clare and Suck rivers are all still rising steadily this afternoon – and the next 24 to 48 hours could potentially see the situation dramatically disimprove.
The struggle to get flooding under control in Ballinasloe is continuing this afternoon as the Army assists Council Crews to clear water from the lower square in the town – which rose by 75mm overnight.
A boil water notice has been introduced after flooding caused contamination at the town’s water treatment plant – however, Irish Water says the plant itself was not damaged due to flood defenses in place.
Red Cross crews were in Ballinasloe and it’s environs yesterday evening to distribute bottled water to residents as the boil notice took effect.
Meanwhile, there are fears of severe flooding in Portumna as the level of water in the River Shannon continues to rise following the weekend rain.
The Army are on-site there also, assisting Council crews to sandbag roads and properties, and the Council is warning that a serious threat exists to the town.
The N65 remains passable this afternoon, but water is gradually creeping over the road as the river continues to swell.
The Tynagh Road and R353 coming from Abbey are both closed, while a number of local roads are also experiencing serious issues.
There is significant flooding in the Kilconieron to Killtullagh area, with a number of local roads impassable.
Extensive flooding is also being reported in the areas of New-inn, Castleblakeney, Ballygar and Gort.
The Loughcutra to Caltra road has been closed at Loughcutra.
The R363 from Newbridge towards Ballyforan is now closed due to flooding, while sections of the R357 remain closed also.
The N63 has been closed at Finns Cross.
Craughwell village remains cut off due to the floods – gardai say the village is completely flooded and will remain that way for some time.
They’re diverting people travelling to or from Oranmore and Loughrea onto the motorway.
However, the County Council has indicated that it’s hoping the flooding in Craughwell will not disimprove, and will subside relatively quickly.
Claregalway is currently clear, but concerns are being expressed for the next 24 to 48 hours as the River Clare continues to rise beyond peak levels in 2009.
Galway County Council says a real threat exists from Lisheenavalla to Abbert and towards Corofin and Abbeyknockmoy.
The R339 between Carnmore Cross and Coosaun Cross is now closed, while the road between McHughs Pub and Ballindooley Cross has also been closed.
The R461 has been closed at Ballinakill.
Moving West, and the R336 from Maam Cross to Cashla, R344 Inagh Valley, and R341 west of Recess are all closed – motorists in the are being advised to use the N59.
Galway County Council is advising motorists to stick to national routes where possible.
It says the general situation is extremely bad with the Rivers Shannon, Suck and Clare river all taking huge water and rising this afternoon.
Motorists are advised to drive extremely cautiously during the morning and evening hours as flooded roads will not be easily visible and it will not be possible to judge the depth of the floods.
The post Situation remains grave across Galway as county rivers continue to rise appeared first on Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune.