Disruptive weather continues
The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) met again virtually this Sunday to discuss the ongoing disruptive weather. A number of weather warnings remain in place, and a Status Orange Snow/Ice warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow and Munster has been extended until 8pm this evening.
Much of the country has experienced significant snowfall accumulations which has led to very difficult travelling conditions. Elsewhere, wintry showers and icy surfaces are also leading to hazardous travel conditions.
The next few days will bring a strengthening of the wind, with a mix of further showers of hail, sleet and snow countrywide, coupled with low day time and night time temperatures.
Keith Leonard, National Director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, briefed the Taoiseach this morning and is keeping him updated on the situation. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, is also being kept informed of the situation.
The National Emergency Co-ordination Group will meet again on Monday.
Emphasising the safety advice for the public, Keith Leonard stated: “We are seeing very difficult travel conditions for much of the country today. Even where roads have been salted people should slow down, drive with caution and allow extra time for their journey. Drivers travelling longer journeys should make themselves aware of conditions right along their route, as we are seeing a wide range of weather conditions across different parts of the country.
"Footpaths may also be extremely hazardous and slippery due to ice so please take extra care while walking.
“I would urge all members of the public to take extra care with all activities and to check out the Met Éireann and Be Winter Ready websites for further updates and advice.”
Transport
Public transport continues to operate today, but people are advised to check with their operator before undertaking any journeys, as services may be affected depending on local conditions.
Those travelling by air should allow plenty of time for their journey. Passengers seeking updates regarding specific flights should contact their airline directly.
Roads will continue to remain in a dangerous condition over the coming days - even after the weather warnings have ended - and drivers should take extra care and monitor conditions.
Cyclists will need to exercise extra caution this week and follow the advice from the RSA at https://www.rsa.ie/road-safety/road-users/cyclists
Primary and post-Primary Schools
The Departments of Education and Transport and Bus Éireann met this morning to discuss severe weather in relation to schools. While the Department of Education anticipates that most schools will open as normal tomorrow morning, in areas affected by severe weather some schools may take a decision to close due to local conditions and safety concerns.
A decision to close a school is a matter for individual school management authorities around the country as they are best placed to do this in light of local weather conditions, which vary in regions. As school transport services may operate on rural, secondary roads, which may be untreated, this could result in disruption during a spell of adverse weather. Safety remains the foremost priority. If a school plans to close or where transport is affected, communications of all such decisions will issue locally between schools and parents or transport providers and parents.
The Department of Education, along with other government departments, will continue to carefully monitor developments with the weather and engage with key stakeholders.
Early Learning and Childcare settings
The decision to close an Early Learning and Childcare setting rests with the setting’s management taking into consideration the full guidance and direction available from the principal response agencies, especially An Garda Síochána. Any decision to close is taken in the interest of child safety, having assessed the local risks. Some of the issues that settings take into account include:
•conditions in the setting itself
•capacity of the setting to ensure the health and safety of children
•ability of parents and staff to safely negotiate local road conditions to reach the setting
•guidance and direction from the principal response agencies
Further guidance for Early Years settings is available at Be Winter Ready
Higher Education Institutions
Each Higher Education Institution will decide on the appropriate weather-related measures to take, having regard to the safety and wellbeing of those on campus, the weather conditions in the area, the availability of public transport and any other criteria they see fit. It is also a matter for the institutions to clearly communicate this to students and staff.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science advises that all third level institutions should keep up-to-date with the current weather warnings which are carried on all national and local news bulletins and in particular any change in the status warning for their area, as well as any national guidance that may issue from the Department or Government.
Power and Water Outages
Approximately 28,000 customers were without power overnight, mainly in the South West of the country. ESB crews are working to restore supply as quickly as possible, and ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can also monitor www.powercheck.ie/. As always, the public are advised not to approach fallen lines, and to report any fallen lines to ESB Emergency Services.
Uisce Éireann also reported disruption within the network, associated mainly with the power outages, and are working closely with ESBN to restore supply.
Severe Weather Assessment Teams (SWATS)
Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams (SWATs) continue to monitor conditions locally and emergency response teams are ready to respond where and when necessary. Local authorities are continuing to salt roads as well as footpaths in urban centres where possible.
Met Éireann weather warnings in place:
Status Orange Rain/Snow warning for Cork, Kerry, Waterford
Expires at 5pm today
Status Orange Snow/Ice warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary
Expires at 5pm today
Status Orange Snow/Ice warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Munster
Expires at 8pm today
Status Yellow Snow/Ice warning for Cavan, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Longford, Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Wexford, Connacht
Expires at 5pm today
Status Yellow Snow/Ice warning for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Munster
Expires at midnight tonight
Status Yellow - Low Temperature/Ice warning for Ireland
Valid: 17:00 Sunday – 12:00 Thursday
Public Safety Advice
•Check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours.
•Keep your phone charged and take it with you on all journeys. In an emergency dial 999 or 112.
•Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and / or visit met.ie for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.
•ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor www.powercheck.ie/
•Monitor HSE updates regarding possible impacts on the delivery of their services. Note that local injury clinics are the best option if you need medical attention following a slip/fall.
•The Be Winter Ready website provides further advice on preparing for severe weather.
•Farmers are advised to take all precautions when dealing with livestock and possibly working alone.
•With regard to rough sleepers, Cold Weather Initiatives are in operation across all local authorities to provide additional emergency beds for rough sleepers where needed – ensuring that additional temporary beds can be brought into use across a range of existing services and facilities, for singles and couples who need them during periods of cold weather.
•The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is urging all road users to be prepared, exercise caution and stay informed - tips and advice for motorists and pedestrians are available at RSA.ie.
Uisce Éireann advice:
•As temperatures fall below zero, Uisce Éireann is reminding people to protect their water pipes from the freezing weather at home or in their business/farm.
•Check outside pipes that can become frozen and burst during periods of cold weather and, if possible, turn off water supply to these areas or to any unoccupied premises.
•Uisce Éireann is asking people to conserve water and not to leave taps running as this will not necessarily prevent pipes from freezing and can impact on your local water supply.
•Uisce Éireann Customers can check their website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via their 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. People can also sign up online to free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies - see www.water.ie.