Roads closed and houses threatened by rising Shannon

A number of roads in west Offaly has been closed due to flooding amid concerns that water levels in the Shannon will continue to rise in the coming days.

The Harbour Cross to Shannon Harbour road is closed, as are sections of the Crank Road in  Banagher. The L-30098 and L30096 are also impassable.

While water levels in the Shannon are, as of yet, lower than they were in 2009, two houses have been flooded in Shannonharbour and sand bags have been provided to the residents of the Portavola estate in Banagher.

A number of houses on the outskirts of Shannonbridge are also under threat from flooding and Offaly County Council has installed a pump in a bid to keep the floodwaters back.