UPDATE: Concern for flooding in Mountmellick, Laois as river burst banks

There is concern in Mountmellick, Laois for a repeat flood.

The river Owenass has reportedly burst its banks upstream of the town, according to former Town Councillor Marc Connolly.

He predicts that Mountmellick will get 'a lot of water' by afternoon today Sunday February 9.

The town was flooded in November 2017 with 100 properties affected and the N80 closed. It is due for a multi million flood defence project that is still at planning stage.

A Status Orange wind weather warning remains in place across Ireland. Read more here.

UPDATE: A Laois Civil Defence is on site in Cloncannon to examine the level of flooding.

Damien Dollard is Laois Civil Defence Commander, based today at the Election Count centre and ready to send a crew if needed to Mountmellick.

"Cloncannon has burst its banks and it looks like the Bay Road may go. We are waiting to hear back from the crew. The bridge in Irishtown has quite a high level but it hasn't breached yet. It is being monitored," he said.

"The Portarlington area was checked but there is no sign as yet, but it would take several hours after the rain hits the Slieve Blooms," Mr Dollard said.