Galway Bay fm newsroom - Two schools in Clifden have closed this afternoon due to severe flooding in the area.
Local Gardaí have advised Scoil Mhuire and Clifden Community School to close with immediate effect due to deteriorating road conditions.
There will be a staggered release of students to ensure adherance to Covid-19 regulations.
The closure comes as a number of houses in the Clifden area have been evacuated by fire service water rescue teams after the Owenglen river overtopped following heavy rain.
Homes and properties on the Ballyconneelly Road, in the Clifden Glen estate, and near the Station House Hotel have been evacuated.
A number of properties in the centre of Clifden have also flooded and fire crews are in attendance.
The N59 at Kylemore is impassable and the road from Clifden to Ballyconneely is also closed.
The stretch of the N59 between Maam Cross and Recess is now operating with one lane only - as well as Waterloo Bridge which has one accessible lane.
Gardaí are warning motorists to slow down and avoid the areas if possible.
It follows a period of heavy rainfall overnight and this morning - with further falls of heavy rain expected today.
A status yellow rainfall warning is in place with Met Éireann predicting more localised flooding and hazardous driving conditions.
The alert is valid for Connacht, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal between now and 9 o'clock tonight.
