merrion street

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 (9th December 2015) 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, Coastguard, Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána & Met Eireann


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 maintained with Met Eireann, the local authorities and the transport and energy sectors. The agencies in the front-line reported on their responses to the storms at the meeting.


As the response phase ends, the relevant local authorities will continue their clean-ups and in some counties prepare for further possible flooding events particularly in some areas of the Shannon catchment area.


Met Eireann
Met Eireann advises that weather today will be very windy and wet everywhere at times. Thursday will be wet in the west and dry elsewhere. As we move into the weekend the weather becomes a bit more uncertain with the risk of heavy rain in South Munster on Saturday. Swollen rivers and sodden land, particularly in the Shannon catchment area should be expected and the levels in the Shannon will continue to rise until Friday and into Saturday.

ESB
ESB advises that the flow of water down the River Shannon through Parteen Weir will remain at 375 cumecs (cubic metres per second) today.

The levels in Lough Derg are monitored on a daily basis and ESB will advise if that flow is likely to increase. There is further bad weather forecast and so the level of water flowing down the Shannon may increase over the next number of days.

This level of water flow is likely to lead to associated flooding of roads, land and property in the vicinity of the Shannon downstream of Parteen Weir including the areas of Springfield, Montpelier, Castle Connell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick.

ESB is continuing to monitor the situation and is liaising with the relevant County Councils.


OPW
All OPW gauges on the main Shannon river have risen since yesterday and are expected to rise in the next few days. We expect the Lower Shannon to peak on Sunday/Monday from Lough Derg to Limerick City. The expecting flood levels on the Shannon are to exceed the severe flood level (20 year threshold).
Media queries in relation to Flood Relief Measures or Flood Mapping to the OPW may be directed to: OPW Press Officer at 087 9475552.


The public is advised to avoid walking along riverbanks where rivers are badly swollen 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 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.

The Chairman also requested that the public would continue to heed the safety warnings of the authorities.


Government support for small businesses
Government decided yesterday 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.

The detailed criteria will be finalised in the coming days.



Humanitarian Aid
The Department of Social Protection (DSP) has an important role to play in assisting households in the immediate aftermath of emergency events such as severe weather conditions through the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme. The situation on the ground is monitored and DSP staff engage with the Local Authorities and other agencies to ensure supports are being provided to those affected as swiftly as possible.

Departmental Officials can provide individuals with emergency payments to offset their immediate needs such as the purchase of food, clothing, fuel and household goods. People seeking assistance under the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme should contact their local Department of Social Protection office.
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


Media queries to the Department of Social Protection may be directed to:
press.office@welfare.ie or Tel: 01 704 3860

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