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 (11th 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, Coast Guard, 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 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. 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 when and where required.
Met Eireann
Met Eireann advises that today an Orange Rainfall Warning is in place for Clare, Cork and Kerry with prolonged falls of very heavy rain expected overnight Friday and during Saturday with totals of 30 to 50mm. There is a status yellow warning in place for the remaining counties of Munster, much of Leinster and much of Connacht with falls of very heavy, prolonged rain at times overnight and during Saturday with totals of 25 to 35mm with larger totals on higher ground.
Sunday sees normal weather returning.
ESB
ESB advises that the flow of water down the River Shannon through Parteen Weir will remain at 375 m3/s (cubic metres per second) today Friday 11 December.
The levels in Lough Derg are monitored on a daily basis and ESB will advise if that flow is likely to increase. With further rain expected over the weekend, 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, Castleconnell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick.
ESB is continuing to monitor the situation and is liaising with the relevant County Councils.
For Media Queries, please contact the ESB Press Office: 01 702 6009 / 087 2557186
OPW
Monitoring of OPW river gauges indicates all gauges have risen to a max of approx. 2 inches;
Rate of increase has reduced from 3 to 2 inches over last 24 hours;
Highest of these values being in mid catchment of the Shannon Athlone area;
Looking ahead based on the availability flood forecasting models: peak over the coming weekend on Sunday and Monday;
Also indication of high intensity rainfall on Saturday which has potential to cause surface flooding in the associated areas identified by Met Eireann;
Media queries in relation to Flood Relief Measures or Flood Mapping to the OPW may be directed to: OPW Press Officer at 087 9475552.
There is still some flooding on minor roads and motorists are advised to heed the local authority warnings in this regard. The RSA also has useful advice on their website
The public is advised 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 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.
Applications forms will be available on the Red Cross website shortly.
DSP response via the 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 scheme should contact their local DSP Intreo Centre or CWS office who will be able to offer assistance.
Key areas of update:
CWS staff are proactively engaging with families in Tralee, Tuam and Clare who have had to leave their homes due to flooding.
Enquiries have been received from persons affected from Cork, Crossmolina, Westport, Castlebar, Loughrea, Four Roads and surrounding areas.
In Clare, CWS staff are on standby in relation to the risk of flooding as water levels rise in the Clonlara and Montpelier areas of Clare, but have not been called upon as yet. The CWS is liaising with Clare County Council in this respect.
Media queries to the Department of Social Protection may be directed to:
press.office@welfare.ie or Tel: 01 704 3860
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.
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