Statement from the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM) Crisis Management Team, part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are designated as the Lead Government Department for coordinating the response to severe weather emergencies at national level.
NDFEM have been liaising with Met Éireann regarding the current forecasted weather period. A Met Éireann briefing was held today (Friday 18 August 2023). All Local Authority severe weather assessment teams, government departments and agencies attended this meeting to prepare for the arrival of Storm Betty.
Met Éireann’s current forecasts indicate that Storm Betty will move across the country during Friday afternoon into Saturday morning, moving Southwest to Northeast across the country, potentially bringing strong winds, rain and the threat of coastal, pluvial and fluvial flooding. Met Éireann have issued weather warnings and advisories and these are available on the Met Éireann website.
Storm Betty is forecast to bring high winds, particularly across the Southern areas. Rainfall levels of 40mm could be experienced across the country with the potential for over 60mm in some areas. This is a dynamic storm system, intensified by the Jet Stream leading to some uncertainty as to the potential track and intensity of Storm Betty.
Local Authorities, who are the lead agency for the response to severe weather events have activated their Crisis Management Teams and Local Coordination Groups in preparation for the arrival of Storm Betty. Relevant departments and agencies also are preparing to support local authorities responding to Storm Betty.
The public are advised to monitor Met Éireann forecasts during this period.
In areas affected it is likely there will be:
The public are again reminded to monitor Met Éireann forecasts for their area and to be aware of the changing weather conditions and to heed safety warnings. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.
The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management will continue to liaise with Met Éireann during this developing situation.