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 (13 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 of recent weeks has brought effects, including flooding to roads, properties, homes and farmland, over a widespread area. Over a thousand properties, including homes, have been affected since the onset of flooding early in December, while many other 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 roads have been damaged by the effects of flooding. Road users are advised to check local authority websites for information on roads affected by flooding, and on diversions or alternative routes.
Met Eireann
Met Eireann advises that we are now in a cold snap. Flooded areas may freeze over and people are advised to exercise caution whether walking or driving.
There will be some showers of rain, hail and sleet in all areas this afternoon.
Tonight, showers will continue in west Munster, Connacht and Ulster. They'll become increasingly wintry with some falling as snow overnight. Leinster and east Munster will be largely dry with clear spells. It will be very cold with a widespread sharp frost and icy patches on roads.
Tomorrow will be cold with sunshine and scattered wintry showers, most frequent in the west and north. Some will fall as snow, mainly in the morning and also in the evening.
ESB
ESB advises that levels in Lough Derg continue to drop and that the flow of water through Parteen Weir will further reduce to 335 cubic metres per second today Wednesday 13th January 2016. This follows a reduction in flow to 370 cubic metres per second yesterday afternoon. The situation will be reviewed again tomorrow.
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 Shannon catchment have fallen in the past 48 hours. The following are the level changes:
Upper Catchment: Carrick-on-Shannon has fallen by 14cm and is currently 51cm below its recent 13 December peak.
Mid Catchment: Athlone has fallen by 10cm in the last 48 hours and is currently approx 20cm below the 2009 peak level. Lough Ree has fallen by 10cm and is currently approx 16cm below its 2009 peak.
Lower Catchment: Lough Derg at Banagher has fallen by up to 13cm and is now 30cm below the 2009 peak level.
Limerick city has fallen by approx. 12cm in the past 48 hours and is now 33cm below its recent peak of 13 December 2015.
The levels on the Upper to Lower Shannon Catchment (between Carrick-on-Shannon and Banagher) have been falling over the past 5 days by an average of approximately 5cm per day and are expected to continue to fall over the coming days.
The smaller Shannon tributaries of the Suck, Brosna and Inny have all fallen significantly in the last 48 hours and are well below their 2009 peaks.
The River Erne at Belturbet has fallen by 16cm in the past 48 hours and is 43cm below its recent peak of 2 January 2016. However, it should be monitored carefully in the coming days.
Each of the following additional rivers have fallen significantly in the last 48 hours – Boyne, Bandon, Barrow, Fergus, Suir, Munster Blackwater, Clare and Slaney but should continue to be monitored in the coming days.
Each of the following additional rivers have fallen by smaller amounts (less than 10cm) in the last 48 hours – Moy and Nore but are well below their recent peaks. However, they should also continue to be monitored in the coming days.
We remain in a Severe Flood Situation in the Mid to Lower Shannon Catchment and in a High Flood Situation in the Upper Shannon and its Brosna, Suck and Inny tributaries and on the Erne Catchment. Ongoing flood defence efforts including maintenance of temporary flood defences and pumping will therefore have to continue for some time.
Effects of flooding, safety messages, advice on clean-up
There is still flooding on roads in 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 extra vigilant. With the onset of a colder spell of weather, further damage to roads may occur. Colder weather also brings the potential for ice on roads; road users are asked to be mindful of the conditions on roads, and drivers are asked to drive with caution.
A further concern with colder weather expected is the formation of ice on floodwaters. People are asked to be careful and parents are asked to supervise children; don’t walk or play on frozen over water, as ice layers may not support your weight.
Road users should 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. The Garda Síochána has advised all motorists to stick to diversions. There have been some instances of people ignoring these diversions and getting stuck in flood waters which can cause delays to other road users.
The public is reminded to avoid walking along riverbanks, which may be unsafe due to swollen rivers. 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 public is asked to check on vulnerable neighbours during this period, and assist them with supplies of fuel, food, or medications.
People who may be feeling distressed and anxious as a result of the effects of flooding should consult their GPs; further advice is available on the Health Services Executive website (www.hse.ie).
People are advised against unnecessary travel on floodwaters, in boats, canoes, rafts or other vessels; this activity puts those involved and others at risk. There can be hidden hazards under the water; very deep floodwaters can bring vessels close to overhead power lines.
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) and on the OPW website (www.flooding.ie).
Advice on what to do if septic tanks or wells have been affected by flooding is available at the EPA website (www.epa.ie).
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 is being 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 has begun making payments. Around 76% of eligible applications have been paid (219 applications received and €530k spent). The Red Cross compensation scheme has been extended to include sporting/community facilities.
Application 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 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.
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:
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Humanitarian-Assistance-Scheme.aspx
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