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Statement from the National Emergency Coordination Group on Severe Weather 6pm - 16 October 2017

The NECG has learned of a number of storm-related deaths. The Group extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

Key Public Safety & Information Messages

  • Following careful consideration by the National Emergency Coordination Group, the Department of Education and Skills has decided that all schools will remain closed tomorrow Tuesday.
  •  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 fatalities emphasise the dangers posed by the storm 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.  People need to be vigilant and take personal responsibility for themselves and their families.
  •  High seas are predicted, with the potential for localised coastal flooding as a result of wave overtopping. There have 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 around the country, with contingency planning activated by the ESB.  Currently approximately 328,000 are without power. ESB Networks are on standby to start the repair work once the danger of the storm has passed. 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 avoid it 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 for the second time this afternoon (16 October 2017) to assess the emergent issues in light of the arrival of Storm Ophelia. Ministers Murphy and Kehoe 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.

Met Éireann continue provide real time information regarding the track of Storm Ophelia and recorded wind speeds obtained from their various observation stations around the country. The identified issues facing the country remain severe wind, coastal surge and heavy rainfall with the likelihood of significant destruction in worst affected areas. The projected trajectory forecast from Met Éireann is for it to track along the Atlantic corridor. Heavy rainfall is predicted in Clare and South Galway moving into Galway City around 4 P.M to 6 P.M.

Gale force 11 winds with gusts in excess of 100 KM/H are predicted for the greater Dublin region between 16.00 and 20.00 hours with strong winds persisting until approximately 22.00. Convective storms (Stingjet) could break out locally, particularly in the Midland and West area of the country, these pose a potential significant hazard as they are particularly intense with strong gusting winds.

The NECG received updated 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 reported contributing to significant road damage and closures,  structural damage has also reported. 

The NDFEM continue to monitor the situation on the ground as Storm Ophelia progresses through the country. Currently a further NECG meeting is scheduled for 7 P.M today to update the group on emerging issues.

 

Homelessness

The NECG have been informed by the Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government in relation to homelessness. The priority for the Department continues to be ensuring that any homeless person will have access to shelter during Storm Ophelia and the following is the up to date position:  

 

  • Housing First Teams and Local Authorities continue to offer shelter to those on the streets and are transporting individuals to a range of facilities.

 

  • Additional facilities providing shelter and supports to those who need them have opened up across the country today.

 

  •  Notices have been posted in relation to the extra facilities, cafes and emergency beds that are available in the system.

 

  •  There have been over 100 calls to the emergency lines and to the rough sleeper email address from concerned members of the public in relation to homeless individuals. These have all been followed up on.  

 

  •  There are buses in the Dublin area at the moment picking up homeless people and bringing them indoors to safety.

 

  •  Dublin City Council and DRHE have sourced an additional 200 emergency bed spaces in the Dublin area and have confirmed that there is enough capacity in the system to meet the needs of all who wish to receive shelter.

 

  •  In the case of homeless families in hotels, DRHE has advised that hotels are providing food to those families so that they do not need to leave their accommodation.

 

  •  Outside of Dublin, homeless individuals and rough sleepers are being transported to facilities using taxi or local authority mini bus services.

 

  •  Local authorities and NGOs are working on the streets In Limerick, Cork, Galway, Meath, Kildare, Louth and Wicklow to ensure people have shelter and are transporting homeless individuals to facilities. Each of these local authorities has confirmed that while there are power outages and trees down, homeless matters are well under control.

 

Schools

Following careful consideration by the National Emergency Coordination Group, the Department of Education and Skills, has decided that all schools will remain closed tomorrow Tuesday. The decision was primarily taken in the interest of child safety and on the basis of information available in what is a developing situation. While it is recognized that some schools may not be as badly impacted as others, the information available at this time indicates that impacted as others, the information available at this time indicates that over 350,000 businesses and homes are already without power, and severe winds continue to cause damage across the country as the storm progresses. Many regional and local roads are closed due to fallen trees.

 

It is also the  case that school authorities will in very many cases not have had an opportunity to check their buildings and confirm they are safe, have power and water, and that the routes to the school are safely open.

 

It is recognized that the decision to close schools will have a major impact on families and on the workforce. However this decision has been taken in the interest of safety for children and to provide clarity to everyone concerned.

Weather Outlook

Storm Ophelia (Ex hurricane), situated over county Galway at 1500 hours today, is continuing to track northeastwards. It will bring further violent and destructive winds for a time, with gusts of 120 and 150 km/h. Some flooding is also expected, due to heavy thundery downpours and storm surges in coastal areas (Overtopping). There is a danger to life and property. Winds will gradually abate from the south through this evening and tonight.

The worst of the winds recorded 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.

Key Public Safety & Information Messages

  • Following careful consideration by the National Emergency Coordination Group, the Department of Education and Skills, has decided that all schools will remain closed tomorrow Tuesday.
  •  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 coastal flooding as a result of wave overtopping. There have 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.