Community Alerts

UPDATED

Due to Storm Éowyn Status Red Weather Warning, all Waterford City and County Council buildings and facilities will be closed on Friday, January 24^th.

Members of the public can contact Waterford City and County Council’s Customer Services Desks on 0818 10 20 20 on Friday from 08:00am to 5:00pm on Friday, January 24^th after which calls will be transferred to the Council’s emergency services number.  Alternatively, members of the public can email contact@waterfordcouncil.ie.

The public is advised to heed all public safety advice, to not travel and shelter in place during the duration of the Status Red weather warning which will be in effect in Waterford from 02:00am to 10:00am Friday, January 24^th and will bring gale force winds with dangerous, damaging and destructive gusts in excess of 130km per hour.

Waterford City and County Council’s Integrated Homeless Services Severe Weather Protocol is also in operation, with extra bed capacity available at McGwire House. The Outreach Team from Waterford Integrated Homeless Services has been in contact with any known rough sleepers to advise them of the shelter arrangements. All residents will be accommodated to shelter in place during the duration of the Status Red Warning.

Please note the following emergency contact numbers below:
Emergency 999/112
Uisce Éireann 1800 278 278
ESB Networks 1800 372 999
Gas Networks Ireland 1800 205 050

Key public safety messages:

• During Status Red Level wind warnings, the public is advised not to travel, stay indoors and shelter in place.
• During Status Orange warnings, the public is advised to limit travel to essential only in areas where an orange level warning is in place. Essential services operators will continue to operate services subject to advice from Met Éireann on prevailing local conditions.
• The forecasted winds have the capacity to bring severe, destructive and damaging winds which will constitute a risk to life and property.
• High seas; the public is advised to stay away from coastal areas during this period. The Irish Coast Guard is appealing to people to “Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry”.
• There is a potential for tidal flooding in coastal areas. In addition to this, Storm Éowyn may also bring localised heavy showers, which in turn may lead to localised flooding.
• The electricity network is expected to be severely impacted, the public are advised to prepare for the arrival of the storm including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.
• The public is advised not to travel during the Status Red Warnings
• The public is advised not to attempt to move any obstructions, i.e. fallen trees or structures during the storm event.
• Ensure insofar as possible outdoor items like bins, garden furniture, play equipment (e.g. trampolines) are secured.
• Charge mobile phones and prepare for potential power outages. Have a flashlight and batteries on hand.
• Roads and pathways may be hazardous due to debris and fallen trees.
• Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours, family, or friends.
• Report issues (e.g. blocked roads, etc) to the Council.
• Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.
• ESB Networks is highlighting the dangers posed by fallen live wires and is advising the public and the emergency services to stay away from these fallen cables and to report such cases to it immediately. ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor www.PowerCheck.ie in regards to power restoration times.
• Uisce Éireann customers can check the website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via their 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. The public can also sign up online to our free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies – see www.water.ie

Water Safety Ireland is urging the public to stay away from waterways during Storm Éowyn, as high winds and severe weather conditions pose a significant danger, particularly when people’s curiosity to witness dramatic waves tempts them to take risks. Please remember: staying away from waterways is the safest option for you and your loved ones during this storm.

Most accidental drownings in Ireland (over 60%) happen when a person falls into water unexpectedly. High winds can push you into water and the resulting cold shock can cause an immediate loss of control over breathing, which can be fatal.

While many people live close to the coastline, the warning applies equally inland, where 12,000 loughs and a network of rivers and canals will be hazardous. However, no one needs to be at risk if they follow one simple rule: to stay S.A.F.E. is to Stay Away From Edges.

Key Dangers to Be Aware Of During Storm Éowyn:

1. Coastlines: High winds increase the risk of wave overtopping, which can easily sweep people off their feet and into the water.

2. Rivers: Stronger currents will run faster than usual, posing a serious threat to anyone falling in accidentally.

3. Lakes: Floodwaters can conceal the edges of lakes, creating hidden hazards.

Important Safety Advice:

· Avoid Open Water Swimming: Even if you are a seasoned open-water swimmer, do not swim during this storm. The conditions are extremely dangerous.

· Beware of Coastal Flooding: Floodwaters can expose manhole covers and drains, creating additional hazards.

By following the S.A.F.E. rule and staying away from edges, you can ensure your safety and that of your family. Remember, no view or experience is worth risking your life. Stay Safe – Stay Home.

Contact:

Joanne Walsh: 087-199.0339 / joannewalsh@watersafety.ie

Roger Sweeney: 087-678.9601 / rogersweeney@watersafety.ie Paul McGowan: 087-166.7103/ paulmcgowan@watersafety.ie

www.watersafety.ie

Waterford City and County Council reminds farmers of restrictions on slurry and fertiliser spreading within 48 hours of heavy rain.

Met Éireann has issued a weather advisory regarding Storm Éowyn which is forecast to track across Ireland on Thursday night and Friday.  This storm is expected to give rise to spells of heavy wind and rain.

Under the European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2022, organic and chemical fertilisers or soiled water shall not be applied to land when it is waterlogged or when heavy rain is forecast within 48 hours.

• Déan cúram do dhaoine aosta, daoine leochaileacha agus comharsana atá scoite amach.
• Beidh cúrsaí taistil deacair mar gheall ar cheathanna geimhriúla agus dromchlaí a bhfuil sioc orthu
• Beidh na bóithre contúirteach, fiú agus grean curtha orthu agus iarrtar mar sin ar dhaoine a luas a laghdú, tiomáint go cúramach, a bheith airdeallach ar dhaoine eile atá ag úsáid an bhóthair agus am breise a thabhairt dóibh féin dá dturas.
• Ní mór do rothaithe a bheith thar a bheith cúramach ar na bóithre le linn na tréimhse seo d’aimsir fhuar. Cé go mbeidh grean á chur gach oíche ar phríomhbhealaí artaireacha, d’fhéadfadh sé tarlú nach mbeadh grean curtha ar go leor bealaí rothaíochta.
• Moltar do thiománaithe a bheidh ag tabhairt faoi thurais níos faide a bheith airdeallach ar chúrsaí feadh an bhealaigh ós rud é go bhféadfadh athrú mór a bheith ar an aimsir in áiteanna éagsúla sa tír.
• D’fhéadfadh an tréimhse seo d’aimsir fhuar cur isteach ar sheirbhísí iompair phoiblí freisin, mar sin moltar do dhaoine seiceáil le hoibreoirí seirbhíse chun an t-eolas is déanaí a fháil faoina gceantar féin.
• Iarrtar ar dhaoine a bheith an-chúramach nuair atáthar amuigh ag siúl: is féidir le cosáin etc. a bheith an-chontúirteach/an-sleamhain ag sioc.
• Moltar do dhaoine a bheith ullamh don tréimhse dhrochaimsire seo lena n-áirítear a chinntiú go bhfuil a bhfón póca luchtaithe go hiomlán le go mbeidh siad ábalta cumarsáid a dhéanamh le daoine eile.
• Coinnigh d’fhón luchtaithe agus tabhair leat é ar gach turas. Glaoigh ar 999 nó 112 i gcás éigeandála
• Tá gach cur isteach ar sheirbhísí Fheidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte le fáil ar an leathanach baile na Feidhmeannachta agus táthar á thabhairt cothrom le dáta go rialta ar chainéil meán sóisialta an HSE https://www.hse.ie
• Is féidir teagmháil a dhéanamh le Seirbhísí Éigeandála BSL ag an uimhir 1800 372 999. Is féidir leis an bpobal súil a choinneáil ar www.PowerCheck.ie.
• Is féidir le custaiméirí Uisce Éireann a shuíomh gréasáin agus a chainéil meán sóisialta a sheiceáil chun an nuacht is déanaí a fháil agus is féidir leo teagmháil a dhéanamh le hUisce Éireann faoi aon fhadhb nó ábhar imní a bheadh acu trína n-ionad cúraim do chustaiméirí 24/7 ar an uimhir 1800 278 278. Is féidir le daoine clárú ar líne freisin le córas foláirimh téacs saor in aisce chun an t-eolas is déanaí a fháil go rialta faoina soláthairtí áitiúla – féach www.water.ie. Moltar do dhaoine uisce a chaomhnú, agus féachaint ar https://www.water.ie chun comhairle a fháil
• Cuirtear tuilleadh comhairle ar fáil ar an láithreán gréasáin Bí Ullamh don Gheimhreadh https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/aa78b9-be-winter-ready chun ullmhú do dhrochaimsir.
• Moltar d‘fheirmeoirí gach réamhchúram a ghlacadh agus iad ag déileáil le beostoc agus iad ag obair astu féin seans.
• Ba chóir do dhuine ar bith a bheidh ag taisteal ar eitleán thar an deireadh seachtaine neart ama a thabhairt dóibh féin lena dturas a dhéanamh. Ba cheart do phaisinéirí a bhfuil an t-eolas is déanaí faoi eitiltí sonracha á lorg acu teagmháil dhíreach a dhéanamh lena n-aerlíne.
• Coinnigh súil ar réamhaisnéisí Met Éireann agus/nó féach ar https://www.met.ie/ chun an t-eolas is déanaí a fháil. Tá eolas ar fáil ar fud ardáin meán sóisialta agus ar fud foinsí meán nuachta eile.

• Check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours
• Wintry showers and icy surfaces will lead to difficult travel conditions
• Road conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted, slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey.
• In areas of freezing fog, switch on fog lights where visibility is reduced, ensure to check mirrors and slow down. Use your foot brake lightly so that your lights warn following drivers https://www.rsa.ie/news-events/news/details/2025/01/03/the-rsa-is-advising-road-users-to-be-prepared-for-treacherous-road-conditions
• Cyclists need to exercise extreme caution during this cold weather spell. While key arterial routes are being gritted nightly, there are many cycle routes that may not be gritted.
• Drivers travelling longer journeys are advised to be aware of conditions right along their route, as the weather may vary significantly across different parts of the country.
• Public transport may also be affected by this spell of wintry weather; people are advised to check with service operators for the latest updates in their area.
• Take extra care while walking: footpaths etc. can be extremely hazardous/slippery due to ice
• People are advised to prepare for this period of severe weather including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.
• Keep your phone charged and take it with you on all journeys. In an emergency dial 999 or 112
• All disruptions to HSE services are on the hse.ie homepage and it is being regularly updated on HSE social media channels https://www.hse.ie
• Always stay safe and stay clear of electricity lines and wires as these are live and therefore dangerous. You can report any damage to ESB Networks by contacting our emergency phone number: 1800 372 999/021 238 2410 (24 hours/7 days). The public can monitor www.PowerCheck.ie
• Uisce Éireann Customers can check their website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via our 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. People can also sign up online to free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies – see www.water.ie.People are advised to conserve water, and visit https://www.water.ie for advice.
• The Be Winter Ready website https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/aa78b9-be-winter-ready provides further advice on preparing for severe weather.
• Farmers are advised to take all precautions when dealing with livestock and possibly working alone.
• Those travelling by air over the weekend should allow plenty of time for their journey. Passengers seeking updates regarding specific flights should contact their airline directly.
• Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.

Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow Snow–Ice Warning for Waterford.  The warning is in place from 5pm Saturday, January 4^th to 5pm Sunday, January 5^th, with falls of rain, sleet and snow expected.

The very cold spell across the country will lead to very disruptive weather over the weekend, with an area of low pressure sending up some heavy rain, sleet and snow. This cold spell is expected to extend into at least the middle of next week with lying snow, some wintry showers and widespread severe frost and ice and some freezing fog also.

Waterford City and County Council’s severe weather management team attended a Virtual National Emergency Coordination Group meeting this morning and is advising that Waterford City and County Council ground crews are treating all Priority One and Two roads.

Gabriel Hynes, Senior Engineer with Waterford City and County Council said, “Waterford City and County Council ground crews are attending to the Priority One and Two road network, and gritting will continue on these Priority One and Two roads for the duration of the cold weather advisory warning.  The crews will attend to salting Priority Three roads as and when resources allow.

“Waterford City and County Council currently has ample salt stocks to treat these roads for the duration of the cold spell.  With 1,500 tonnes of salt in reserve at our yards in Waterford city and Dungarvan, salt is also being restocked as required from the National Depots in Cahir and Bellview.”

Hynes urged motorists to exercise caution on their journeys, “We would urge all motorists to reduce speed and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front.  Driving conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted, so please slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey.  Pedestrians should also take care as footpaths will be slippery due to ice.”

All Waterford City and County Council Gritting Routes can be found on the homepage of Waterford City and County Council website at https://waterfordcouncil.ie/

Waterford City and County Council’s Integrated Homeless Services Severe Weather Protocol is currently in operation until March 31^st.  Throughout this period, the Outreach Team from Waterford Integrated Homeless Services is in regular contact with any known rough sleepers to advise them of impending weather alerts/freezing temperatures and remind them of the shelter arrangements which they can avail of.

Extra capacity is available at McGwire House, Bath Street, Waterford, where homeless men and women can present to avail of shelter (051 879930). Women and children fleeing domestic violence should present to Oasis House, 71 Morrisson’s Road, Waterford (051 370367).

With the Met Éireann Status Yellow Snow / Ice Warning issued for the weekend, Waterford City and County Council is appealing to the public to contact the Homeless Services Team by emailing homelessservicesteam@waterfordcouncil.ie if they see person(s) sleeping rough in Waterford.

Members of the public can also contact Waterford City and County Council’s Customer Services Desks and the Homeless Services Team at Waterford Integrated Homeless Services by calling 0818 10 20 20 during normal office hours, after which calls will be transferred to the Council’s emergency services number.

Key public safety messages:

• Wintry showers and icy surfaces will lead to difficult travel conditions.
• Driving conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted, slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey.
• Take extra care while walking as footpaths etc. can be extremely hazardous/slippery due to ice.
• Check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours.
• Keep your phone charged and take it with you on all journeys. In an emergency dial 999 or 112.
• The Be Winter Ready website https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/aa78b9-be-winter-ready provides further advice on preparing for severe weather.
• People are advised to prepare for this period of severe weather including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.
• Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.
• ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor www.PowerCheck.ie.
• Uisce Éireann Customers can check their website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via its 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. People can also sign up online to free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies – see www.water.ie.
• People are advised to conserve water and visit https://www.water.ie for advice.
• Farmers are advised to take all precautions when dealing with livestock and possibly working alone.