The National Emergency Management Framework sets out the State’s response to a flooding event, to mitigate the potential negative impacts of major flood events.
The public too can also reduce the impact of floods by being aware of the flood risks and potential impacts and being prepared to take action if and when a flood occurs. To support, people, homes and businesses prepare for a flood event, the OPW has a dedicated awareness website www.flooding.ie
The public can also reduce the impact of floods by being aware of the flood risks and potential impacts and being prepared to take action if and when a flood occurs.
The OPW has a dedicated awareness website www.flooding.ie for homes, businesses and farms.
This website provides practical information and guidance on being prepared to take action if and when a flood occurs. The OPW has also prepared a handy booklet called Plan, prepare, protect that is available to view online, download or order in hard copy from OPW at info@opw.ie
The national Be Winter Ready campaign also provides practical guidance for dealing with any severe weather event. Further information can be found at www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/aa78b9-be-winter-ready/
Met Éireann weather forecasts are available on RTÉ (radio and TV), on many of the independent local and national radio stations and on www.met.ie.
When a Severe Weather Warning (level red) is in operation it will also be issued to the broadcast media and to local authorities.
Emergencies of all kinds are responded to in the first instance by the Principal Response Agencies (An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and the Local Authorities) in the area where they occur in accordance with arrangements set out in a Government-approved Framework for Major Emergency Management (2006).
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government is designated by Government Decision as the “Lead Government Department” (LGD) for co-ordinating the response to ten emergency/crisis scenarios including severe weather and flooding.
The department has undertaken this role in relation to severe weather and flooding crises since 2009, most recently for the severe flooding of winter 2015/2016. During these crises, the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management has convened and chaired the “National Emergency Co-ordination Group” on behalf of the department.