An extremely wet February has left rivers high across wide areas of Ireland, in particular along the Shannon river basin, prompting some evacuations.
Rain
Met Éireann said the provisional rainfall totals for the period 01 to 24 February are currently at 225% of Ireland’s average. For comparison, the rainfall totals for December 2015, when Ireland was hit by Storms Desmond, Eva and Frank, was around 245% of normal.
Newport, County Mayo, recorded 283.5 mm of rain during this period (01 to 24 February). While the highest daily rainfall total was 51.5 mm on Saturday 8 February at Knock Airport, County Mayo.
Flooded Areas
Media in Ireland reported some evacuations on 23 February as water from the Shannon crept closer to houses in the village of Springfield, Clonlara in County Clare. Sandbags and pumping stations were delivered to ten houses in the village.
In County Leitrim, authorities have been pumping of flood waters in Leitrim Village and Carrick-on-Shannon, while troops have been assisting in erecting flood defences in the Castleconnell area of County Limerick, on the banks of the River Shannon.
Westmeath County Council says it has activated its Flood Emergency Response Plan in response to the rising River Shannon in the Athlone Area. Flooding was reported on some low-lying roads in Athlone, where the Shannon is expected to continue to rise until Friday 29 February 2020.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar visited some of the affected areas on 24 February, including Athlone and Carrick-on-Shannon.
Rivers
As of 26 February, rivers were above their Annual Maximum (AMAX) in several locations, including the Shannon at Derryholmes in County Offaly (34.97 metres) and at at West Offaly Power Station (35.36m).
Social Media
Troops from @12infbn #Limerick assisting in flood defences in the Castleconnell area. Personnel remain on standby to deploy to other locations around the country when requested by civil authorities. #defence #safety #security #óglaighnahéireann #strengthenthenation #service pic.twitter.com/kBp4DdOSej
— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) February 25, 2020
Press Release – River Shannon in the Athlone Area
25 February 2020 1pm
Water levels in the River Shannon are continuing to rise slowly and increased by 5cm overnight. 1/8 pic.twitter.com/Q9glvOs50X
— Westmeath County Council (@westmeathcoco) February 25, 2020
Water continued to rise overnight in Clonlara, Clare. Too deep now for tractors that were able to move around yesterday. One farmer up early to milk cows, despite late night with one cow calving. Yard surrounded by water. Likely newborn & rest of herd will have to evacuate today pic.twitter.com/a8ZfttDs6m
— Tommy Meskill (@TommyMeskill) February 25, 2020
Water levels at Kiltartan are expected to rise overnight, as a precaution the 05:55 Limerick/Galway and 06:15 Galway/Limerick will operate as bus transfers on 25/02/2019. A decision will be made regarding the second services in the morning. -AD pic.twitter.com/gNEzkhEu3x
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) February 24, 2020
