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 (16th December 2015) to review the response to date, to assess the impact of the flooding 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 continue to respond 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 are supplemented by the Defence Forces and other service providers when and where required.
Met Eireann
Met Eireann advises that it will be dry in most areas today. Some patchy drizzle will occur, mainly along Atlantic coasts. Later today, rain will become more persistent in south and southwest coastal areas, spreading gradually northeastwards this evening and early tonight.
Tomorrow morning, rain in eastern areas early on will clear and it will brighten up everywhere during the day, with sunny spells developing. Some scattered showers will occur, mainly in Connacht and Ulster, but many areas will stay dry, especially parts of the east and southeast.
ESB
ESB advises that the level in Lough Derg dropped slightly in last 24 hours and the flow of water through Parteen Weir will reduce from 440 to 405 cubic metres per second later today Wednesday 16th December.
It is expected to remain at this level of discharge for the next few days. This depends on the actual rainfall and the situation will be reviewed again tomorrow.
This level of water flow continues 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 continues to closely monitor the situation and are in communication with the local authorities and response agencies in accordance with normal operating procedures.
OPW
The OPW continues to monitor the hydrometric gauges and the following is the current position:
All gauges on the Shannon catchment are showing a downward trend of between approximately 1-4 cms with the exception of Athlone which is showing a small rise of approximately 1cm.
We remain in a severe flooding situation on the Shannon catchment and it is likely that ongoing flood defence efforts (for example pumping) will have to continue for some time.
The smaller catchments of the Brosna, Suck, Moy, Clare and Erne continue to fall.
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 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 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 have begun to receive applications for funding.
Applications forms are available on the Irish Red Cross website
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.
Department of Social Protection Community Welfare Services officials are on the ground in the affected areas. They are continuing to monitor the situation, engage with the local authorities and emergency services and are providing the necessary supports as quickly as possible. The Community Welfare Services contact details have been provided to the key services.
The response in the key areas affected:
Limerick - CWS staff are currently in the Corbally area with staff from the Local Authority making house visits.
In Athlone - emergency clinics established in Grace Park Road Athlone, operating mornings and afternoons.
In Mayo - Community Welfare Services clinics will be available in Crossmolina and Ballinrobe on Thursday morning (17 December).
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 is known.
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.
In areas where supplies to customers are disrupted tankered water is being supplied. There is no boil water notice in effect, currently.
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.
#BeWinterReady
ENDS
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 storm and flooding at the meeting.