LATEST: Blow for local residents as flood level not due to peak until Monday

There is more bad news for Athlone residents battling rising floodwater today (Wednesday), as the latest forecast from the ESB predicts that water levels on the Shannon won't peak until Monday next.

In its latest statement issued at 2.30pm today, Westmeath County Councils said it had received an updated ESB forecast of river levels for the next five days.

The forecast predicts that water levels will reach 39.60m by Monday next, December 14.

The council said this peak level which is being forecast by Monday 'represents an increase of 390mm above current levels and would be close to the maximum level recorded in 2009.'

The maximum level reached during the 2009 floods was 39.67mm.

The council said that 'no houses have been flooded' in the town, to date, but the situation is getting ever more grim for some residents as water continues to creep towards their homes.