Residents in the town of Athlone are on flood alert this evening after an alarming increase in water levels on the river Shannon.
Athlone Town Council has told people living in council housing estates on the west side of the town close to the river that if their houses become flooded due to the rising levels the council will provide alternative accommodation for them.
The council has also told local businessses that they will supply sand bags to prevent flooding on their premises.
Some sand bags have already been put in place at homes in the Strand area and high winds have already led to flooding in the area.
This morning the Irish Farmers' Association President, Padraig Walshe, visited flooded farms in the Shannon callows and called on the Government to bring forward a new programme of development work for drainage along the river and its tributaries.
Mr Walshe says that much of the river needs to be cleaned and re-developed to alleviate flooding.
Farmers in the Clonboney area near Athlone were moving cattle to higher land this afternoon.
Severe weather conditions have also been causing further flooding and dangerous driving conditions on roads in the south and west.
A fresh Atlantic storm has seen high seas, driven by winds gusting up to 100km/h, hitting coastal areas from west Cork to Donegal.
Driving conditions have been described as hazardous and while all main roads are open to traffic several minor roads in counties Galway and Mayo are again impassable.
The worst hit areas include Ballinrobe and Shrule in Co Mayo.
Met Éireann said southwest gales would occasionally reach storm force 10 in places today.
