The National Coordination Group has been building up a picture of the damage and impact of the latest storm to hit the country today (12th Feb 2014). With significant damage and disruption in the transport sector, Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has attended the Group’s meeting. The storm has had major impact on transport, electricity and communication infrastructure and buildings, disrupting travel and communities. Rail services were disrupted and airports were closed for a period. Roads and traffic were disrupted by overturned lorries in a number of cases.
Met Eireann had issued a Status Red severe weather warning for Cork and Kerry initially but this was extended to Leinster, Munster & Connacht as damaging and dangerous winds travelled up across the country from the south-west. The storm is expected to clear the east coast later this evening.
Counties in the path of the storm were badly impacted as it moved across the country. Many buildings were damaged and in Killarney the 52 occupants of a nursing home were evacuated after its roof was damaged. In Kilkenny a major emergency was declared as the number of calls for assistance overwhelmed the response capacity.
The ESB has reported that power supply have been impacted to in excess of 200,000 properties. ESB crews will be working through the night to restore as many lines as possible, because of the scale of damage it may take some time to restore supply to all customers. Persons with specific medical concerns are advised to contact their medical practitioners for advice. People are asked to check on vulnerable neighbours in their community in areas without power. People should keep warm and take care with alternative forms of energy. ESB crews will also be prioritising power to infrastructure such as water treatment plants and pumping stations.
Local authorities are clearing fallen trees in all areas, but again this may take some time. All road users and pedestrians are being advised to exercise extreme caution this evening due to the dangerous conditions that exist. Commuters are advised that tomorrow will see ice in the morning, and they need to take account of local conditions in making travel plans.
The public have been reminded to continue to follow the weather warnings and to heed the safety messages of the authorities. People should also be mindful when using candles and open heating sources in the home. All road users are advised to exercise extreme caution particularly on motorways, there is also danger from debris/fallen trees and icy roads in the morning. People should use public transport where available, allowing extra time for journeys and check details with their transport providers in advance of travel.
The National Co-ordination Group will continue to monitor the situation in conjunction with the local authorities, An Garda Siochana and HSE.
Weather Warnings are presented in three categories:
A. STATUS YELLOW - Weather Alert - Be Aware
The concept behind YELLOW level weather alerts is to notify those who are at risk because of their location and/or activity, and to allow them to take preventative action. It is implicit that YELLOW level weather alerts are for weather conditions that do not pose an immediate threat to the general population, but only to those exposed to risk by nature of their location and/or activity.
B. STATUS ORANGE - Weather Warning - Be Prepared
This category of ORANGE level weather warnings is for weather conditions which have the capacity to impact significantly on people in the affected areas. The issue of an Orange level weather warning implies that all recipients in the affected areas should prepare themselves in an appropriate way for the anticipated conditions.
C. STATUS RED - Severe Weather Warning - Take Action
The issue of RED level severe weather warnings should be a comparatively rare event and implies that recipients take action to protect themselves and/or their properties; this could be by moving their families out of the danger zone temporarily; by staying indoors; or by other specific actions aimed at mitigating the effects of the weather conditions.