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Statement from the National Emergency Coordination Group on Severe Weather

The NECG has learned with regret of the death of a woman today in Waterford. The Group extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

Key Public Safety & Information Messages

  •  The NECG reiterated that there is a Red Level Warning currently in place for the entire country. The immediate storm will not abate over the south coast until 4-6pm and midnight for the north of the country.
  •  This event is unprecedented with serious life threatening conditions and all unnecessary travel should be avoided while the storm is passing. Do not be outside during the passing of the storm.
  •  The fatality in Waterford emphasises the dangers posed during this period.
  •  Don’t travel during the height of the storm, and take due care when travelling post storm periods as there could be debris including fallen trees on the roads. Listen to local radio and national media broadcasts regarding the current weather situation. 
  •  High seas are predicted, with the potential for localised coast flooding as a result of wave overtopping. There has been reports of people on piers, walkways etc. near the sea.  You are strongly advised to stay away from coastal areas.
  •  Very strong winds with violent gusts are predicted making driving conditions hazardous, especially for the more vulnerable road users, e.g. cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and high sided vehicles. Road users should pay particular attention to the risk posed by fallen trees and flying debris.
  •  Members of the public are being asked to report any homeless case or individual that they have concerns about to their Local Authority, and the cases will be followed up by each Local Authority area. In the Dublin Region, members of the public can log and report cases of concern on the following website; http://www.homlessdublin.ie/report-rough-sleeper#1.
  •  Given the anticipated extreme weather conditions, today should be a no bike day.
  •  Power outages are occurring in certain parts of the country, with contingency planning activated by the ESB.  The ESB is highlighting the dangers from fallen live wires and is advising the public to stay away from these fallen cables. ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1850 372999.
  •  Bus Éireann’s schools transport services are not operating in counties covered by Red level warnings. Because of the duty of care owed to children and to avoid the risk arising from travelling, the Department of Education and Skills has instructed all schools to act on the Department‘s advice and remain closed. Crèches and Montessori facilities should also remain closed.
  •  People are asked to check in on isolated and vulnerable neighbours today during the severe weather conditions and again after the worst of the event has passed preferably by phone or text to avoid leaving your home. .
  •  People are advised to remove patio furniture, rubbish bins and any loose items from around buildings, which can be turned into missiles by the wind.
  •  Farmers are advised to be conscious of the warnings in place and not to travel alone when checking on livestock, and avoided during the peak of the storm.
  •  People who have travelled to work today, should stay inside until after the storm has passed, checking with transport providers to ensure they have a safe means of travelling home.
  •  The public are again reminded to monitor Met Éireann forecasts for their area and to be aware of the weather conditions and to heed safety warnings. Met Éireann will be providing hourly updates on their website. Information is available across social media platforms and other traditional media sources. 

 

Report of the National Emergency Coordination Group meeting

The National Emergency Coordination Group met again this morning (16 October 2017) to assess the level of preparedness and to identify emergent issues in light of the arrival of Storm Ophelia. An Taoiseach and Ministers Murphy, English, Moran, Kehoe and Ross were in attendance. The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is designated as the Lead Government Department for coordinating the response to severe weather emergencies at national level and chairs the National Emergency Coordination Group for severe weather. The Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) Severe Weather Team has been meeting daily and working with Met Éireann, local authorities and other Government Departments and agencies since Thursday 12 October to review information regarding the storm and its predicted trajectory and intensity.

Updated information received from Met Éireann on Friday 13 October regarding the trajectory of the storm has identified the issues facing the country as being severe wind, coastal surge and heavy rainfall, with the potential for this to be a life threatening event with the likelihood of significant destruction in worst affected areas. This drove the decision to convene the National Emergency Coordination Group. The objective of today’s meeting was again to bring all Government Departments together to review and disseminate the latest information regarding the storm, review the current national preparedness arrangements and to review public safety messaging in anticipation of the storm reaching Ireland. The European Union satellite mapping resource (Copernicus) has been activated to assist in mapping Storm Ophelia and its impact.

The NDFEM has been in continual contact with local authorities since Friday 13 October who have activated their severe weather teams and Local Coordination Centres. The NECG received reports regarding the current situation in the South of the country where the first effects of Storm Ophelia have been felt. Cork and Kerry are experiencing power outages and tree falls have been observed, which may be an indication of how the storm will affect the rest of the country. The Local Coordination Groups continue to be briefed by the NDFEM regarding Storm Ophelia and to prepare for this anticipated wind and potential flood damage.

 

The NDFEM continue to monitor the situation on the ground as Storm Ophelia progresses through the country. Currently two further NECG meetings are scheduled for today to update the group on emerging issues.

 

Weather Outlook

Monday will see stormy conditions as Storm Ophelia moves up over the country. It arrived in Kerry at 6am this morning.  Gale to storm force southerly winds are occurring with severe and damaging gusts (Between 120 and 150KM/H) - winds strongest along southern counties with the risk of storm surge here, along with very high seas.

The worst of the winds over Munster and south Leinster this morning will quickly extend to the rest of the country this afternoon. Spells of heavy rain or thunderstorms also and storm surges along some coasts will lead to flooding. Winds east to southeast at first will veer southwesterly later.  Structural damage is possible anywhere and these are life-threatening conditions. Rain will be widespread also, with the heaviest falls likely to occur in Atlantic coastal counties. Localised flooding is possible with thundery falls.

The storm front will track northwards during the day, continuing stormy this evening with occasional showers, but winds from the southwest decreasing to strong overnight. Showers becoming well scattered. Mainly dry later tonight - especially in the south. Currently, there are Red level wind warnings in place for the whole country.

Key Public Safety & Information Messages

  •  The NECG reiterated that there is a Red Level Warning currently in place for the entire country. The immediate storm will not abate over the south coast until 4-6pm and midnight for the north of the country.
  •  This event is unprecedented with serious life threatening conditions and all unnecessary travel should be avoided while the storm is passing. Do not be outside during the passing of the storm.
  •  Don’t travel during the height of the storm, and take due care when travelling post storm periods as there could be debris including fallen trees on the roads. Listen to local radio and national media broadcasts regarding the current weather situation. 
  •  High seas are predicted, with the potential for localised coast flooding as a result of wave overtopping. There has been reports of people on piers, walkways etc near the sea.  You are strongly advised to stay away from coastal areas.
  •  Very strong winds with violent gusts are predicted making driving conditions hazardous, especially for the more vulnerable road users, e.g. cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and high sided vehicles. Road users should pay particular attention to the risk posed by fallen trees and flying debris.
  •  Members of the public are being asked to report any homeless case or individual that they have concerns about to their Local Authority, and the cases will be followed up by each Local Authority area. In the Dublin Region, members of the public can log and report cases of concern on the following website; http://www.homlessdublin.ie/report-rough-sleeper#1.
  •  Given the anticipated extreme weather conditions, today should be a no bike day.
  •  Power outages are occurring in certain parts of the country, with contingency planning activated by the ESB.  The ESB is highlighting the dangers from fallen live wires and is advising the public to stay away from these fallen cables. ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1850 372999.
  •  Bus Éireann’s schools transport services are not operating in counties covered by Red level warnings. Because of the duty of care owed to children and to avoid the risk arising from travelling, the Department of Education and Skills has instructed all schools to act on the Department‘s advice and remain closed. Crèches and Montessori facilities should also remain closed.
  •  People are asked to check in on isolated and vulnerable neighbours today during the severe weather conditions and again after the worst of the event has passed preferably by phone or text to avoid leaving your home.
  •  People are advised to remove patio furniture, rubbish bins and any loose items from around buildings, which can be turned into missiles by the wind.
  •  Farmers are advised to be conscious of the warnings in place and not to travel alone when checking on livestock, and avoided during the peak of the storm.
  •  People who have travelled to work today, should stay inside until after the storm has passed, checking with transport providers to ensure they have a safe means of travelling home.
  •  The public are again reminded to monitor Met Éireann forecasts for their area and to be aware of the weather conditions and to heed safety warnings. Met Éireann will be providing hourly updates on their website. Information is available across social media platforms and other traditional media sources.