Preasráitis
National Emergency Co-ordination Group meets again as Orange Weather Warning issued for Thursday night
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) met again on Thursday morning to discuss the ongoing response to the prolonged cold weather and the latest weather warnings issued by Met Éireann.
An Orange Weather Warning for low temperatures and ice has again been issued for 13 counties, valid from 7pm tonight until 8am on Friday.
Once again widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow will cause dangerous travelling conditions, travel disruption, and potential animal welfare issues.
Tonight will be very cold and dry with frost setting in early. Temperatures as low as -7 degrees are possible in some areas, with the lowest temperatures occurring early in the night. Frost, ice and black ice patches are to be expected.
Indications are that temperatures will slowly start to increase from tomorrow, with temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees forecasted by Sunday.
Local Authorities have again stressed that beds are available for any rough sleeper that needs one. Cold Weather Initiatives are in operation across all local authorities, providing additional emergency beds for rough sleepers where needed. Outreach teams are continuing to work with rough sleepers and encourage them to avail of accommodation.
The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) has a free app and an online form which enables members of the public to alert them to the location of anyone sleeping rough, so that outreach teams can make contact with them and advise of available beds.
Keith Leonard, National Director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, said:
“While we have another bitterly cold night in store tonight, we may finally be reaching the end of this phase of severe weather, with temperatures expected to slowly rise from Friday onwards.
“However, for now, road and path surfaces remain challenging throughout the country and I would continue to urge drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to take extra care if you have to make a journey. Remember that icy conditions – and in particular black ice – can make surfaces look deceptively safe.
“We are continuing to coordinate a cross-government response to ensure the most appropriate supports are happening at local level, and we remain particularly focused on getting those who are still without power or water reconnected as quickly as possible.
“Finally, I’d again like to thank people who have been checking in on vulnerable neighbours during this cold spell. We have another very cold day and night ahead, so please continue to keep an eye out for them and make sure they are ok.”
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 availing of public transport are asked to allow extra time for their journey.
Those travelling by air should allow plenty of time for their journey. Passengers seeking updates regarding specific flights should contact their airline directly. Road users are asked to treat every road as treacherous in the context of widespread black ice, make only essential journeys, take it slowly and allow extra time for travel to reduce risks for all and to relieve the pressure on the emergency services.
Cyclists will need to exercise extra caution this week and follow the advice from the RSA.
The majority of schools have opened as normal this morning, however in several counties affected by severe weather some primary and post-primary schools have taken the decision to close due to local conditions and safety concerns.
Some school transport services are not operating due to weather conditions on roads in affected counties.
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 significantly in regions. 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.
As weather and conditions can change quickly and unexpectedly, we appreciate the public’s cooperation and patience as schools and transport providers assess the situation locally and decide the safest options.
The Department of Education, along with other government departments, will continue to carefully monitor developments with the weather and engage with key stakeholders.
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:
Further guidance for Early Years settings is available on the government's Be Winter Ready website.
Each Further Education and Training college or training centre and 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 tertiary 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.
There are currently less than 200 customers without supply. These customers will be reconnected today.
Real-time information on power outages are being updated on the PowerCheck website.
An important public safety message: If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous. Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999.
As temperatures continue to 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 - go to the Uisce Éireann website.
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.
Status Orange - Low Temperature/Ice warning for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Monaghan, Galway, Roscommon, Tipperary
Valid 7pm Thursday – 8am Friday
Status Yellow - Low Temperature/Ice warning for Ireland
Valid until 12:00 Friday
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 Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) has a free app which enables members of the public to alert them to the location of anyone sleeping rough, so that outreach teams can make contact with them.
If any person affected by severe weather needs to access emergency financial supports you can contact the Department of Social Protection’s Community Welfare Service through our Intreo/Branch offices, by email or by phone at 0818 60 70 80.
Other long-term supports include Fuel Allowance and Household Benefits.
For information on any of these supports, visit the Department of Social Protection website.
Some HSE services are experiencing disruption. All disruptions to HSE services are on the HSE website and it is being regularly updated. Information is also available via HSE social media channels. Note that local injury clinics are the best option if you need medical attention following a slip/fall.
Motorists - Before setting off:
Check tyres, including the spare wheel, and replace them if the tread depth falls below 3mm. Check that tyres are inflated to the correct tyre pressure.
When driving:
Pedestrians:
Motorcyclists, E-scooters and Cyclists: