The response to all emergencies is appropriately locally-led in the first instance (by relevant local authorities in the case of severe weather). The Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government monitors the situation and determines if a Severe Weather National Co-ordination Group should be convened if certain trigger conditions are arrived at or where the local response is overwhelmed and central assistance might be required.
The Storm Desmond severe weather warning issued by Met Eireann was monitored by the Department as Lead Government Department for severe weather emergencies and contact was and is maintained with Met Eireann, the local authorities and other sectors. The agencies in the front-line reported on their responses to the storm and flooding at the meeting.
As Storm Frank approaches, a further meeting of the National Coordination Group to discuss the on-going severe weather was held in the (NECC) National Emergency Coordination Centre today to review the response to date, to assess the impact of the flooding on infrastructure and communities and to ensure that the response of relevant local authorities, Government Departments and Agencies continues to be coordinated.
The NCG is comprised of representatives from all the main government departments and all the key state agencies this includes, inter alia, OPW, ESB, HSE, Civil Defence, Coast Guard, Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána & Met Eireann
Local authorities continue to respond in areas affected, and remain on standby and continue to monitor the situation in the areas where further flooding may occur. The local authority response and the necessary preparations are supplemented by the Defence Forces and other service providers when and where required.
The public are advised to vigilant when travelling on roads as there may be local flooding. In the coming days high winds may also bring down trees so travelling at reduced speeds in the affected areas is also advised.
Met Eireann
Met Eireann advises today will become very windy in all areas this afternoon and evening with strong to gale force southerly winds. It will be stormy along the west and northwest coast. Heavy rain will spread eastwards this afternoon and become widespread this evening.
Tonight will be very wet and windy with widespread rain turning heavy. Southerly winds will be strong to gale force and gusty at first, but decrease fresh to strong in the western half of the country by morning.
ESB
ESB advises that the flow of water through Parteen Weir will increase from 405 to 440 cubic metres per second today Tuesday 29th December.
The situation will be reviewed again tomorrow but the flow of water is likely to increase in the coming days, given the high levels of forecasted rainfall in the Shannon catchment.
The levels in Lough Derg are likely to increase to 2009 levels in the coming days and, as a result, the flow through Parteen Weir may increase up to 500 cubic metres per second.
This level of water flow will have increased associated flooding to land and property in the vicinity of the Shannon downstream of Parteen Weir including the areas of Springfield, Montpelier, Castleconnell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick. Note that other areas between Parteen Weir and Limerick may also be vulnerable to flooding due to local issues.
ESB is continuing to monitor the situation and is liaising with the relevant County Councils.
Note: Following Storm Desmond, between Sunday 13 December and Wednesday 16 December, flow of water through Parteen Weir down the old River Shannon was at 440 cubic metres per second.
View infographic on the River Shannon system.
OPW
OPW continues to monitor the hydrometric network and the following is the current postion:
All gauges on the Shannon catchment are currently indicating a rise in levels. In the past 48 hours, the following are the level changes:
Upper Catchment: Carrick-on-Shannon has risen by 1cm.
Mid Catchment: Athlone area has risen by approx 4cm in the last 48 hours and is currently 3cm above its peak of 16 December.
Lower Catchment: Lough Derg has risen by approx up to 2cm and Limerick city by approx 6cm in the past 48 hours.
The smaller Shannon tributaries for example the Brosna has risen by approx 3cm. Each of the following catchments has risen in the last 48 hours: the Erne, the Moy, the Suir, Nore and Blackwater.
We remain in a severe flooding situation on the Shannon catchment and it is likely that ongoing flood defence efforts (for example pumping) will have to continue for some time.
It is also expected that there will be surface water/pluvial flooding on the road network throughout the country for the rest of today and tomorrow morning.
There is still flooding on minor roads, this will be compounded by the heavy rainfall forecast for the next two days, and motorists are advised to heed the local authority warnings in this regard. The RSA also has useful advice on their website.
The public is reminded to avoid walking along riverbanks, which may be unsafe due to swollen rivers until it is safe to do so. They are also requested to heed any public warnings from the local authorities or local media outlets. People are further advised to follow local flood warnings issued through local authorities for more detailed information.
The Coast Guard advice to people remains the same - anybody who might visit coastal areas to take care. Their general safety message is Stay Back, Stay High & Stay Dry.
The group noted the responses of emergency services, defence forces, local authority workers, state agencies, businesses and the public for their hard work and patience during the recent event. The NCG will meet again tomorrow to review matters and Local Authorities will continue to monitor river levels in the areas impacted.
Government support for small businesses
Government decided previously to establish a fund of €5m to aid small businesses which have suffered damage to their property in the current flooding. The fund will be administered on behalf of the Government by the Irish Red Cross.
The fund is intended for businesses in towns recognised to be at flood risk by the OPW and which have been unable to get flood risk insurance. Irish Red Cross have begun making payments. Up until late last week in excess of 120 applications had been received.
Applications forms are available on the Irish Red Cross website.
Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government
Mr. Alan Kelly, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government announced funding of €8m for local authorities to facilitate and support the on-going clean-up works being undertaken at local level in the aftermath of Storm Desmond.
Department of Social Protection, Humanitarian Assistance Scheme
The Department of Social Protection (DSP) has activated its Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, administered by the local Community Welfare Service (CWS), to assist householders affected by the current bad weather conditions.
Department of Social Protection Community Welfare Service officials are on the ground in the affected areas. They are continuing to monitor the situation, engage with the local authorities and emergency services and are providing the necessary supports as quickly as possible.
There are three stages to Humanitarian Assistance Scheme:
1 - Emergency Income Support - payment that the Department can offer is an immediate humanitarian aid payment, which is intended to cover immediate needs such as food, clothing, etc.
2 - Replacement of Goods & household items - will follow when the flooding has receded and the items that need to be replaced can be assessed
3 - Long term financial aid and works - will follow when the flooding has receded and the full extent of the damage is known.
Further information and applications forms in relation to the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme are available Department of Social Protection offices in the affected areas and from the Department’s website here.
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