As the aftermath of Storm Frank continues to be surveyed, the National Coordination Group once again convened in the (NECC) National Emergency Coordination Centre today (30th December 2015) to review the situation ahead of a visit to Athlone by Ministers Kelly and Harris.
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.
The public are advised to vigilant when travelling on roads as there may be local flooding and downed trees. Travelling at reduced speeds in the affected areas is also advised.
Met Eireann
Met Eireann advises that there will be heavy showers mostly in the west and northwest, thundery in places and possibly wintry on higher ground. Showers will become more scattered during the afternoon with some sunny spells developing. The strong and gusty southerly winds will veer westerly and will become light to moderate this afternoon and evening.
It will be cold tonight with clear spells and light winds over the northern half of the country with temperatures falling to between 0 and 4 degrees with some icy patches. But further south, cloud and winds will increase with rain developing and pushing northwards through the night (falling as sleet or snow in parts of Ulster towards dawn). Winds will be light variable at first then easterly and increase fresh to strong veering southwesterly in southern counties later in the night.
ESB
ESB advises that, due to very substantial rainfall overnight associated with Storm Frank, flows from Inniscarra Dam increased to 250 cubic metres per second between 9am and midday today 30th December. Based on the rain forecast for the coming days, this may need increase above 250 cubic metres per second later today or tomorrow.
This level of flow will lead to increased flooding downstream from the Inniscarra Dam.
We continue to closely monitor the situation and are in communication with the local authorities and response agencies in accordance with normal operating procedures.
Note: This is higher than the level of flow (180 cubic metres per second) yesterday and between the 6 and 12 December from the Inniscarra Dam following Storm Desmond.
View infographic on the Lee system.
The flow of water through Parteen Weir will remain at 440 cubic metres per second today Wednesday 30th December. 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 to 2009 levels up to 500 cubic metres per second in the coming days.
This level of water flow will have increased 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.
Note: Following Storm Desmond, between Sunday 13 December and Wednesday 16 December, flow of water through Parteen Weir down the old River Shannon was at 440 cubic metres per second.
View infographic on the River Shannon system.
Storm Frank power disruptions
Gale force winds from Storm Frank with gusts of over 120 km/h have caused damage to the electricity infrastructure nationwide. Falling trees and timber are responsible for most of the damage.
ESB Networks crews worked till late last night and were out at first light this morning to restore power to customers affected by Storm Frank.
At present, around 13,000 customers are without power. The main areas affected are:
Bandon/fermoy 4000
Cobh 2000
Maynooth 600
Carnew 1200
Athlone 1000
Crews from ESB Networks have been dispatched in the affected areas, making the electricity network safe and assessing the damage, so that they can restore power as quickly and effectively as possible.
Met Éireann has forecast that the storm is due to abate later today. ESB Networks are confident that power will be restored to all customers currently affected by this evening.
An Important Public Safety Message: If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous. Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1850 372 999.
Customers without power can check for updates on when their fault is expected to be repaired at: http://www.esbpowercheck.ie. If your fault is not appearing on Powercheck, please report it by phoning 1850 372 999.
ESB Networks is reminding customers of the precautionary measures to take in the event of a power cut:
• never approach broken lines or damaged poles, and keep children and animals away – report damage to ESB Networks at 1850 372 999 and listen to recorded messages carefully
• turn off electric cookers, ovens, irons, etc. if electricity supply is lost
• leave a light switched on so you know when power has been restored
• take extra care if using candles, oil lamps or other naked flames
• test smoke alarms with fresh batteries
• ensure adequate ventilation if using gas heaters.
ESB Networks apologises to customers for the loss of supply caused by Storm Frank.
For Media Queries, please contact the ESB Press Office: 087 2557186
OPW
OPW continues to monitor the hydrometric network and the following is the current postion:
All gauges on the Shannon catchment are currently indicating a rise in levels. In the past 48 hours, the following are the level changes:
Upper Catchment: Carrick-on-Shannon has risen by 12cm.
Mid Catchment: Athlone area has risen by approx 6cm in the last 48 hours and is currently 11cm above its peak of 16 December.
Lower Catchment: to Lough Derg has risen by approx up to 4cm and Limerick city by approx 6cm in the past 48 hours.
The smaller Shannon tributaries for example the Brosna has risen by approx 26cm in the last 48 hours. Each of the following catchments have risen significantly in the last 48 hours –Bandon, Blackwater, Suir, Barrow, Nore and Slaney.
We remain in a severe flooding situation on the Shannon catchment and many of the above other catchments. Ongoing flood defence efforts (for example pumping) will have to continue for some time yet.
It is also expected that there will be surface water/pluvial flooding on the road network throughout the country for the rest of today and tomorrow.
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 flooding on minor roads, this will be compounded by the heavy rainfall forecast for the next two days, 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 has begun making payments. Up until late last week in excess of 120 applications had been received.
Applications 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 announced funding of €8m for local authorities to facilitate and support the on-going clean-up works being undertaken at local level in the aftermath of Storm Desmond.
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 Service 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.
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
Media queries to the Department of Social Protection may be directed to:
press.office@welfare.ie or Tel: 01 704 3860
#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.