Limerick County Council has launched an online advice and information guide for householders and the business community on how to prepare for severe weather periods and how to handle emergencies during severe weather.
The ‘Severe Weather Guide’ features flooding advice, reducing the risk of water leakages and shortages during freezing weather, safety tips for driving in snow and ice, information on the ice treatment regime/routes for the winter season, and emergency contact details, as well as a range of health and safety advice. Information relating to the “Winter Ready”, a national campaign launched on 9 November last, also can be found on the site.”
The initiative follows an increase in recent years of severe weather episodes, including the severe flooding in Newcastle West in August 2008, flooding along the lower River Shannon in November 2009, and the prolonged cold periods in December 2009 and December 2010.
Councillor Mary Harty, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council appealed to members of the public and business community to visit the Council website, www.lcc.ie, and to brief themselves on the featured advice and information.
“Severe weather poses a significant risk to both life and property and it’s incumbent on everyone to ensure that they are prepared for all eventualities. The information provided by Limerick County Council will greatly assist the public in minimising risk”, Cllr. Harty added.
Paul Crowe, Director of Services commented: “The newly launched Guide complements the Council’s existing Major Emergency Plan, which includes a sub plan to deal with severe weather incidents. We also have an interagency Flood Plan which was developed following the 2008/9 flooding incidents. A mock exercise, featuring all responding agencies in the County, took place in Adare during November”.
During the period 27 November to 26 December 2010, temperatures dropped to -11c in parts of County Limerick with daytime temperatures struggling to rise above freezing during the Christmas period. Water supplies were affected and transport throughout the County’s 3,500-kilometre road network was inhibited as a result.
According to Mr. Crowe: “Limerick County Council responded to these conditions in two phases, the first of which saw an emphasis on keeping roads open and safe, while the second was characterised by extensive efforts to sustain water supplies.”
He continued: “In recent weeks, Limerick County Council has taken receipt of significantly more supplies of rock salt than previous years from the NRA and the Department of Transport. We have received no indication from Met Eireann that the country is going to experience a prolonged period of cold weather in the near future. However, since Met Eireann does not provide long range forecasts and there is a low confidence factor associated with such forecasts, it is extremely difficult to tell if a sustained period of severe weather is likely to occur later in the year or in early 2012. Either way, the Council is adequately prepared to deal with all eventualities.”
The ‘Severe Weather Guide’ may be viewed at www.lcc.ie.
The ‘Severe Weather Guide’ features flooding advice, reducing the risk of water leakages and shortages during freezing weather, safety tips for driving in snow and ice, information on the ice treatment regime/routes for the winter season, and emergency contact details, as well as a range of health and safety advice. Information relating to the “Winter Ready”, a national campaign launched on 9 November last, also can be found on the site.”
The initiative follows an increase in recent years of severe weather episodes, including the severe flooding in Newcastle West in August 2008, flooding along the lower River Shannon in November 2009, and the prolonged cold periods in December 2009 and December 2010.
Councillor Mary Harty, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council appealed to members of the public and business community to visit the Council website, www.lcc.ie, and to brief themselves on the featured advice and information.
“Severe weather poses a significant risk to both life and property and it’s incumbent on everyone to ensure that they are prepared for all eventualities. The information provided by Limerick County Council will greatly assist the public in minimising risk”, Cllr. Harty added.
Paul Crowe, Director of Services commented: “The newly launched Guide complements the Council’s existing Major Emergency Plan, which includes a sub plan to deal with severe weather incidents. We also have an interagency Flood Plan which was developed following the 2008/9 flooding incidents. A mock exercise, featuring all responding agencies in the County, took place in Adare during November”.
During the period 27 November to 26 December 2010, temperatures dropped to -11c in parts of County Limerick with daytime temperatures struggling to rise above freezing during the Christmas period. Water supplies were affected and transport throughout the County’s 3,500-kilometre road network was inhibited as a result.
According to Mr. Crowe: “Limerick County Council responded to these conditions in two phases, the first of which saw an emphasis on keeping roads open and safe, while the second was characterised by extensive efforts to sustain water supplies.”
He continued: “In recent weeks, Limerick County Council has taken receipt of significantly more supplies of rock salt than previous years from the NRA and the Department of Transport. We have received no indication from Met Eireann that the country is going to experience a prolonged period of cold weather in the near future. However, since Met Eireann does not provide long range forecasts and there is a low confidence factor associated with such forecasts, it is extremely difficult to tell if a sustained period of severe weather is likely to occur later in the year or in early 2012. Either way, the Council is adequately prepared to deal with all eventualities.”
The ‘Severe Weather Guide’ may be viewed at www.lcc.ie.
