Report of the National Emergency Coordination Group on Severe Weather
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 Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) for severe weather met today to coordinate the response to ongoing weather situation. The meeting was chaired by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, in its role as Lead Government Department for the response to severe weather, and An Taoiseach, Leo Varadker T.D., Minister Eoghan Murphy T.D., Minister Shane Ross T.D. and Minister Paul Kehoe T.D. were in attendance.
The advice from the NECG remains that FOR REASONS OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY COORDINATION GROUP IS ADVISING THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE OUT OF DOORS FROM 4 PM TODAY. PLEASE USE THE HOURS BETWEEN NOW AND THEN TO MAKE SURE YOU AND YOURS ARE INDOORS BY THE TIME.
Met Éireann issued A RED Level Snow-ice Warning for the entire country at 11.00pm last night in light of the combination of widespread snow showers, extremely low temperatures and strong winds. This was in place from 11.00pm last night and extending now to Friday at 3.00pm. This is an extension beyond the origin RED Level warning for Munster and Leinster and also extends the warning period later into Friday afternoon.
There have been ongoing further heavy snow showers overnight and continuing this morning which have brought accumulations of significant levels of snow with all areas at risk. There has been some very windy conditions and people will have seen how this combination of wind and snow affects visibility.
Blizzard conditions are expected to develop generally from the south later this afternoon and evening as heavy snow and strong easterly winds bring snow drifts northwards over the country. Eastern and southern coastal counties will be affected initially. The blizzard conditions will continue tonight and temperatures will be as low as minus 4 degrees and strong gale force north east winds will accompany the snowfalls.
OPW advise that storm surges, allied with high spring tides, which bring a danger of coastal flooding with southern and eastern coasts particularly at risk.
Local authorities reported that outdoor and ploughing and salting crews are active in all areas and have worked continuously overnight and since 5am this morning in very difficult conditions in many locations. The intention is to keep all priority routes open. No major issues were reported.
Emergency services are taking a range of steps to help ensure fire and ambulance services cover for citizens as well ensuring the safety of their staff. As much as possible, staff are being facilitated by remaining on premises, revised shift arrangements and transport where possible. The 999/112 service remains in place but the public are being urged to request the attendance of Emergency Services in extreme circumstances only and to be aware of likely extended response times. As always, a risk assessment will be used to prioritise cases arising.
All motorways and national primary routes are open with the exception of the N81 which is impassable. Many minor roads are impassable.
All Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann services have been suspended. Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann intend to reinstate a limited service from Friday evening as conditions allow.
Irish Rail is operating the majority of services with some delays and cancellations. Southside Dart services are suspended due to coastal flooding at Salthill.
Dublin Airport is operational but there have been a high number of flight cancellations and delays. Cork Airport is closed.
All ferry services are suspended.
The local authorities have been working with homeless NGOs through the last 24 hours to ensure that all rough sleepers have shelter available. Sufficient capacity is available for all those requiring these services and they will continue to operate on a 24 hour basis until the spell of cold weather passes.
Local authorities will collate situation reports as the blizzards clear on Friday. The NECG will be attempting to compile a national picture and to prioritise our response efforts to restore services and to get the country moving again. All the response organisations, co-ordinated by the local authorities, will begin the task of dealing with the aftermath in collaboration with communities all over the country. The Defence Forces are on standby to assist and as we heard.
The public are advised to monitor Met Éireann across all media platforms for further updates and to use GOV.IE to familiarise themselves with the Be Winter Ready campaign and associated support materials.