The Local Co-ordination Group (LCG) comprising of Limerick City and County Council, the HSE, An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces have met this morning (Tuesday 28th February 2018) to discuss and implement plans for the severe weather affecting the region.
- A joint statement from Limerick City and County Council, the HSE, An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces
Due to the status RED alert for Snow and Ice in Limerick and the rest of Munster, the LCG is recommending that people need to be at home or indoors by 4pm tomorrow (Thursday).
In addition the Local Co-ordination Group is advising that members of the public should only travel if absolutely necessary on Thursday 01 March 2018 up to the start of the RED alert at 4pm.
Met Eireann is forecasting that blizzard-like conditions will develop in heavy snow and strong easterly winds on Thursday evening. This will continue Thursday night and Friday morning giving significant snow drifts in many areas.
The RED alert warning is valid from 4pm on Thursday 01 March until 12 noon on Friday 02 March 2018.
The government has recommended that all schools in Munster remain closed for the rest of the week.
The group will remain in constant contact to monitor the situation and will issue further updates as necessary.
The winter maintenance programme of gritting strategic routes around Limerick will continue this evening and tonight. The council’s 15 gritters will be out from 7pm this evening and overnight covering routes that carry nearly 85% of all Limerick’s traffic.
Priority has been given to National Route system (Priority 1) and strategic locations on the public road network, which carries the most intensive volumes of commuter traffic. Every effort is made to ensure that this network is maintained open for traffic at all times in spite of weather conditions. In extreme weather conditions i.e. a continuous spell of sub-zero temperatures, attention is also given to other parts of the network on the basis of need and the availability of resources.
Six snow ploughs are on standby to clear strategic routes is necessary.
Limerick City and County Council offices will close to members of the public at 1pm tomorrow (Thursday 01 March) and will re-open on Monday (05 March).
However, essential services will be maintained and Customer Services can still be contacted on 061 556000 between 9am and 5pm or the out of hours number (emergency only) on 061 417833. Alternatively check http://www.limerick.ie for updates.
The HSE Mid West Crisis Management team will meet later this afternoon, and will then publish a list of services affected through various media platforms and this will include HSE Mid West Community Healthcare and UL Hospitals Group.
However the public can expect that only essential services will be available over the period. This will include the closure of many HSE buildings in Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary.
Limerick City and County Council continues to advise the public to be vigilant and stay tuned to various media outlets for weather/ warning updates. The public should make appropriate arrangements with the prospect of deteriorating weather conditions for the remainder of the week and heed all public warnings that may issue over the coming days.
The local authority is again highlighting the need for members of the public to be mindful of their elderly or vulnerable neighbours as the weather conditions continue to worsen.
The council is continuing to liaise with the emergency housing providers and accommodation has been made available to anyone who may seek assistance over the period of severe weather.
The Limerick Homeless Action Team can be contacted on 061 481212 normal business hours or the out of hours number is 1800 606060.
For any water issues, eg leaks, loss of water, dirty water, sewage issues, please contact Irish Water on 1850 278 278.
Further updates will be issues as necessary.
For more information about being prepared for adverse weather conditions, visit www.winterready.ie
The LCG is part of #LKWorkingTogether, Limerick’s public services working together