Areas along the River Shannon are bracing themselves for possible flooding in the coming days.
Met Éireann has issued a status yellow rain warning for Connacht, Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Longford, Louth, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath, Clare and Tipperary.
The alert comes into effect from tomorrow night at 8 pm with up to 25 millimetres of rain expected to fall.
Status Yellow - Rainfall Warning for Connacht, Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Longford, Louth, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath, Clare and Tipperary
More information here: https://t.co/juduxcKda8 pic.twitter.com/VuHqMqiqDB— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 22, 2020
Some snowfall is also expected in parts of the country ahead of the heavy rain,
Forecasters say the ground is currently saturated and river levels elevated - meaning the rainfall and snow melt may lead to some flooding.
Some farmland areas around Athlone and Carrick-on-Shannon are already underwater, with representatives in each area saying they will be relying on flood defences in the next couple of days.
The outgoing minister of state for flood relief, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, says people are worried.
He said: "They've been hit extremely hard... I've been around about over the last number of days in Portumna, Ballinasloe, Longford and Mullingar... and particularly here now in Athlone.
"Athlone is feeling the brunt of it because of the heavy rainfall that's hit the Midlands.
"The Shannon Estuary is at saturation point and at flooding points as well... the rising levels have caused huge concern."
