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 storms 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 remain on standby and continue to monitor the situation and in the areas where further flooding may occur the necessary preparations are supplemented by the Defence Forces and other service providers when and where required..
Met Eireann
Met Eireann advises rain across Munster and south Leinster will slowly move northwards bringing some persistent falls to Atlantic coastal fringes but the rain will be more scattered and lighter elsewhere. In parts of Connacht and Ulster the rain could fall as sleet or snow at first. A clearance to milder and drier conditions will develop in the south and will extend to all areas by evening. Tomorrow and into next week we are moving towards more normal weather but there will be further rainfall throughout the week but nothing of an exceptional level.
ESB
ESB advises that the Shannon continues to rise and that the flow of water through Parteen Weir will increase to 440 (cubic metres per second) today Sunday 13th December.
The levels in Lough Derg are monitored and regular assessments made of flows. The flow will increase to 440 cubic meters per second today and will be reviewed again tomorrow.
This level of water flow is likely to lead to increased flooding of roads, 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.
ESB is continuing to monitor the situation and is liaising with the relevant County Councils.
View infographic on the River Shannon system.
OPW
Levels on mid to lower Shannon catchment are still rising in last 24 hours;
Small fall on Upper Shannon catchment at Boyle;
Over same time period levels in Lough Ree have risen by approx 1 inch
Downstream in Athlone area they have risen by approx 2 inches
Further downstream at Bamagher they have rose by approx 2.5 inches
Levels on Suck, Moy and Clare have fallen;
Upper Erne catchment has not risen.
Looking ahead for the Lower Shannon catchment downstream of Lough Derg to Limerick City, the best assessment that time of flood peak will be later today and tomorrow;
Any fall in levels beyond this timeline are likely to be slow.
There is still some flooding on minor roads and more may occur over the weekend with the possibility of flash floods in some places 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 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.
Applications forms are available on the Red Cross website
Department of Social Protection the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme. 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. The situation in all affected areas is being monitored and CWS staff are engaging with the local authorities and other agencies to ensure supports are being provided to those affected as swiftly as possible.
Staff are assessing and meeting the demand for assistance by the public as the needs arise and when necessary are visiting the homes of persons affected.
People seeking assistance under the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme should contact their local DSP Intreo Centre or CWS office who will be able to offer assistance. The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is not just available to people in receipt of social welfare payment, it’s open to any member of the public who has an urgent need.
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 to a property is known
The Department opened emergency Humanitarian Assistance clinics in Ballinasloe, Crossmolina and Athlone, further clinics may be opened in Limerick, Clare as circumstances require.
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:
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Humanitarian-Assistance-Scheme.aspx
IRISH WATER
Irish water has been able to maintain normal water supplies to the vast majority of its customers while dealing with 89 separate incidents affecting treatment plants due to the effects of Storm Desmond.
Power cuts, flooding or a reduced ability to produce clean drinking water are being managed and closely monitored on an ongoing basis by local authorities working on behalf of the national utility.
Customers in areas affected by precautionary boil water notices issued as a result of the storm have been notified and tankered water is being supplied where supplies are disrupted.
Where there is no interruption to supply customers should continue to use water in the normal way unless advised to do otherwise.
Any customer with a query in relation to their water supply or water quality should check www.water.ie or call 1890 278 278 at any time.
National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management.
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.
Custom House, Dublin 1
Background
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 storms at the meeting.