The response to all emergencies is appropriately locally-led in the first instance (by relevant local authorities in the case of severe weather). Local authorities are the lead agencies, locally, for response to flooding. The Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government monitors the situation and determines if a National Co-ordination Group should be convened.
The National Coordination Group again met in the (NECC) National Emergency Coordination Centre today (Wednesday 6th January 2016) to review the situation and the response to flooding by emergency services.
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.
The Group heard updates, the outlook for the weather and the levels in the river systems, as well as the effects in communities around the country. The rainfall has brought effects, including flooding to roads, properties, homes and farmland, over a more widespread area than in recent weeks. Over two hundred properties, including homes, have been affected in this escalation of flooding, while a similar number of properties are at risk from flooding and experiencing access difficulties.
Local authorities continue to respond and assist communities 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 continue to be supplemented by the Defence Forces and other service providers when and where required.
The public are advised to be vigilant when travelling on roads as there may be local flooding or debris on the roads where flood waters have subsided. Travelling at reduced speeds in the affected areas is also advised. As many people prepare to return to work and school this week, they are advised to check local authority websites for information on roads affected by flooding, and on diversions or alternative routes.
New Package of measures announced by Government 5 January 2016.
A hardship recognition scheme for famers
New fodder replacement scheme
Local Authority clean-up fund has been increased by a further €10m, in addition to the €8m already committed
Establishment of a River Shannon Co-ordination Group
Red Cross compensation scheme to be extended to inlcude sporting facilities
OPW to oversee two individual pilot " home protection schemes "
Department of Transport to bring infrastructure damage report to Government, with funding to be supplied in due course
Farm family homes to be eligible under the Humanitarian Aid scheme
Department of the Environment and OPW to meet with EU Environment Commissioner
Taoiseach and relevant Ministers to meet with Insurance Industry representatives next week
New Flood Forecasting Unit to be established with additional staff - to be staffed by OPW and Met Eireann
Issue of community resilience to be examined, with lessons learned from recent events about how best to engage with and support those suffering from adverse weather events.
Met Eireann
Rain developing in the southwest later this morning will spread northeastwards through the afternoon and evening. It will be heavy in many areas, and will become quite windy with fresh, gusty south to southeast winds. Heavy rain will continue over Leinster and Ulster early tonight with local flooding. There will be some showers in the west. It will become cold with frost and icy patches forming as temperatures fall to between 0 and 2 degrees and winds will ease.
Tomorrow, there will be sunny spells and showers of rain or hail, wintry on hills. More frequent and prolonged showers likely in the West, with fewer showers in the East. Winds will be blustery Southwest and it will feel cold.
ESB
ESB advises that flows from the Inniscarra Dam were reduced to 70-80 cubic metres per second.
Due to prolonged heavy rainfall in the Lee catchment associated with Storm Desmond and Storm Frank, spilling from Inniscarra Dam commenced on 2 December and has continued at various levels throughout the month and into the new year. The peak inflows to the Lee catchment during Storm Frank are estimated to have been in excess of 750 cubic metres per second leading to flows of up to 250 cubic metres per second from the Inniscarra Dam.
Throughout the period ESB has been working in closely with Cork County Council and Cork City Council.
View infographic on the Lee system
ESB advises that the levels in Lough Derg have decreased marginally in the past 24 hours and that the flow of water through Parteen Weir will remain at 470 cumecs (cubic metres per second) today Wednesday 6th January 2016. The situation will be reviewed again tomorrow.
The levels in Lough Derg may reach 2009 levels in the coming days and, as a result, the flow through Parteen Weir may increase up to those levels (up to 500 cumecs).
This level of water flow will continue to have 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.
OPW
OPW continues to monitor the hydrometric network and the following is the current position:
All gauges on the Upper Shannon catchment are falling and in the mid to Lower Shannon have not risen in the past 48 hours. The following are the level changes:
Upper Catchment: Carrick-on-Shannon has fallen by 4cm but is currently 18cm below its recent December peak.
Mid catchment - Athlone area has not risen in the last 48 hours and Athlone is currently approx 1cm above the 2009 peak level. Lough Ree has fallen by 2cm and is currently approx 3cm above its 2009 peak.
Lower catchment to Lough Derg at Banagher has not risen and is now 2cm below the 2009 peak level. Limerick city has fallen by approx 6cm in the past 48 hours and is now 11cm below its recent peak of 13 December 2015.
The smaller Shannon tributaries of the Inny and Brosna have both fallen significantly in the last 48 hours. However, the Brosna remains at a high level. The Suck at Ballinasloe has risen by 1cm but is well below the recent peak of 8 December.
Each of the following additional rivers have fallen in the past 48 hours but remain at a high flood level – Erne, Nore, Slaney (e.g. Enniscorthy), Barrow, Suir, Moy and Boyne and require close monitoring for the coming days.
The following rivers have all fallen significantly in the last 48 hours -Bandon, Munster Blackwater, Clare, Moy and Fergus.
We remain in a Severe Flooding Situation especially on the Shannon catchment and Upper Erne Catchment and in a high flood situation in the Suir, Barrow, Nore, Slaney and Boyne. Ongoing flood defence efforts including maintenance of temporary flood defences and pumping will therefore have to continue for some time yet.
We would highlight that the expected rainfall event later this evening and tomorrow morning has the potential to cause surface water and pluvial flooding on the road network and urban centres of counties Monaghan, Cavan, Meath and Louth and also potentially in the following additional catchments - the Lower Shannon, Upper Suir, Nore and Avoca.
Media queries in relation to Flood Relief Measures or Flood Mapping to the OPW may be directed to: OPW Press Officer at 087 9475552.
Effects of flooding and safety messages
There is still significant flooding on roads in many parts of the country, and motorists are advised to heed the local authority warnings in this regard. The RSA also has useful advice on their website. In some areas clean ups are taking place and there may be debris or damage to road surfaces so people should be vigilant.
With schools reopening, it is anticipated that people may be travelling on routes they have not travelled over the last few weeks. Check on local authority websites for information on road closures and diversion routes. Pedestrians and cyclists should ensure they can be seen – wear high visibility clothing.
Significant numbers of homes and properties are affected or threatened by floodwaters in many areas of the country. Local authorities and other emergency services, along with volunteers in communities, and with assistance from the Defence Forces, Civil Defence, and Irish Red Cross, continue to work to support communities and maintain flood defences. Local authorities remain on standby to assist where further flooding affects communities.
People should avoid contact with floodwaters, which may be contaminated.
If it is necessary to walk through floodwater, use a stick or walking pole to test the ground under the water.
Do not enter flowing floodwaters – they may be deeper and faster flowing than they appear.
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 should take care. Their general safety message is Stay Back, Stay High & Stay Dry.
Individuals or groups planning outdoor activities, such as hiking, over the coming days should be aware of weather forecasts and local conditions. The advice is to wear appropriate clothing and footwear, inform a responsible person of your plans, including planned route, numbers of people involved (never go alone), and planned time of return. In the event you get into difficulty, and require emergency service assistance, call before dark; this helps rescue teams to locate you more quickly.
The public is asked to check on vulnerable neighbours during this period, and assist them with supplies of fuel, food, or medications.
As clean-up work is under way in many affected properties across the country, the Group notes the importance of safety and hygiene for those involved. Advice on flood clean-up is available at the website of the Health Services Executive (www.hse.ie).
Irish Water
Irish Water has advised that a boil water notice which has been imposed on the Whitegate Regional Water Supply Scheme on the advice of the HSE due to high turbidity in the Dower spring source serving this area of east Cork remains in place. This public water supply serves a population of approximately 10,000 and the boil water notice has been imposed as a precautionary measure pending further investigation in the interest of public health. All customers in these areas are advised to boil all water for drinking, food preparation, brushing of teeth and making of ice until further notice. Water can be used as normal personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets.
Irish Water and Cork County Council will continue to liaise with the Health Service Executive with a view to lifting the Boil Water Notice as soon as practicable.
Areas affected by this notice are: Midleton South East, Ballynacorra, Cloyne, Aghada, Whitegate, Ballycotton, Churchstown, Trabolgan and surrounding rural areas. This notice does not apply to other areas or water schemes in Co.Cork. Further information including a map of the affected area and additional advice for customers is available on www.water.ie or by calling 1890 278 278
Septic Tanks Advice
What should I do if my septic tank is flooded?
If possible, the system should not be used until flooding subsides below the level of the tank, but this is more to prevent water backing up into a property than any other reason.
In short, many systems will be robust, they will be recovered and will be usable after a flood.
Where electrical components are used or damage is suspected – then a professional assessment (and repair) is necessary.
There is no significant environmental concern above and beyond that posed by the wider flooding event.
Septic Tanks - what to do after flooding
1. Due to the potential for toxic gases in all septic systems, any servicing, cleaning, repairs, internal damage assessments and emptying/ pumping must be carried out by trained and experienced specialists.
2. After the flooding subsides, replace any dislodged manhole covers and check the system for any external signs of damage such as settlement, ponding of waste water, overflowing, blocked drains or not accepting water from the house.
3. If you suspect damage, or if your system relies on electrical components such as pumps, have the entire system assessed by a professional service engineer.
4. Ensure that any nearby private wells are checked and disinfected prior to use by following the EPA advice (available on www.epa.ie) for private well owners on what to do after flooding.
(See https://www.epa.ie/newsandevents/news/)
As always, do not enter flood waters as manholes may have been dislodged and the flood water will be contaminated and may pose a risk to health.
The group noted the responses of emergency services, defence forces, local authority workers, rescue teams, 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 conditions and respond in support of communities.
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.
ü 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. To date, in the region of 134 applications have been received with approx. 73% paid. The Red Cross compensation scheme is to be extended to include sporting/community facilities
Application forms are still 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 yesterday welcomed the agreement by Government on a package of key actions to provide immediate support and to establish more coordinated systems and tools to deal with flooding.
In particular, Minister Kelly announced that a further €10 million in funding to be made available to local authorities to cover immediate clean-up costs arising from the last two storms. With €8 million previously made available to local authorities for cleaning up in the aftermath of Storm Desmond in early December, this brings the immediate fund to €18 million.
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, the Gardai and other emergency personnel 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.
DSP has opened emergency clinics in towns as required. Athlone clinic continues to operate. Clinics open in Gort, Carrick-on-Suir, a number of towns in Kilkenny such as Thomastown, Graiguenamanagh, Callan and Mullinavat and in Enniscorthy. Staff are on standby to open emergency clinics in other towns if the need arises.
People seeking assistance under the scheme should contact their local Department of Social Protection office who will be able to offer assistance.
There is often a time lag between the flooding event and actual claims. However, Community Welfare Service staff are also there to provide reassurance to people that support is available.
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.
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