DEFENCE FORCES THIS evening are heading out around the country to help with the flood relief efforts.

The troops will be supporting local authorities and volunteers to prevent further damage in the affected areas.

This follows a meeting earlier today between Enda Kenny and the cabinet in which a longer term strategy to deal with extreme weather was discussed.

This distribution of the troops and equipment will be as follows: 

• Cork: Transportation vehicle to help with access to Carraigrohane Straight 
• Clare: Transportation and water pumps in Clonlara
• Galway: Troops and transport for sandbag filling and distribution in Gort
• Kilkenny: Troops and transportation for sandbag filling and distribution in Callan
• Westmeath: Preparation and delivery of meals to workers manning pumps overnight and during the day in Deerpark Road and The Strand in Athlone
• Westmeath: Troops and transportation for sandbag filling and distribution in Athlone

Troops are also on standby in barracks throughout the rest of the country, ready to assist local authorities when needed.

Mark Stedman Mark Stedman

Storm Frank has continued to rage on this evening, with as many as 200 homes impacted by flooding and a further 100 at risk of impacted in some other way.

A yellow rainfall warning is in place for eight counties going into tonight.

Read: Enda holds emergency meeting as new rainfall warning issued for eight counties