Call for volunteers to help with flooding fight

Calls have been issued for local volunteers to help people who have been battling for several days now to prevent their homes from flooding.

Local TD Denis Naughten called on community organisations and sporting clubs to make themselves available this weekend to assist with flood protection of homes, if required.

'Many of those battling the floods over the last week, both communities and council staff and civil defence, are at this stage exhausted and additional help would be of great assistance should flood waters continue to rise,' said Deputy Naughten.

'I know that the local farming community have been of great assistance in Ballinasloe and Athleague and that local sporting clubs are assisting with the battle in Athlone, but if clubs and organisations could make themselves available on a co-ordinated basis over the coming days, if required, it would help with the fight.'

Clann na nGael GAA club, on its facebook page, posted a statement calling on the club's supporters to help from 'those affected by floods in Deerpark Road (behind Aloysius) and Clonown Road.'

The club said residents were 'looking for volunteers to help man their water pumps and keep watch for the next six days and nights. They are developing a roster (each shift lasts 2 hours) for over the weekend and into next week.'

Volunteers will need to wear wellies, waders, warm clothes and gloves.

Yesterday, in his flooding video diary Westmeath Independent editor and Deerpark Road resident Tadhg Carey said: 'Most, if not all, of the people manning the pumps are local residents.

'We could do with more help and anyone who wishes to spend an hour or two on the pumps to relieve some of us from the ongoing battle would be greatly welcomed in this part of town and, I'm sure, equally so in The Strand, Golden Island, and the other vulnerable areas.'

Tadhg's video diary is available here: http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2015/12/10/4111080-video-diary-a-report-from-the-scene-of-athlones-flooding-crisis/

The Red Cross in Athlone has also been helping in the effort by providing flood mitigation equipment and bottled water to some householders already affected or at risk.

The Red Cross has been in contact with council officials and members, while a four-wheel drive ambulance from Laois Red Cross is being temporarily relocated to Athlone.

In a statement issued at 12 noon today (Friday), Westmeath County Council said water levels on the Shannon were 'continuing to rise slowly' and had risen by approximately 40mm in the last 24 hours.

The council said no houses have been flooded in Athlone town but that 'one house has been inundated in the rural area to the south of the town.'

The council is due to issue another update later today, after it receives an updated forecast from the ESB.