Cork County Council Update Ahead of Status Orange Rain and Snow Warning for Cork
Cork County Council is urging all road users to take extreme care on the roads ahead of a Met Éireann Status Orange Rain and Snow warning for Cork.
The Orange warning comes into effect at 5.00pm tomorrow (Saturday, January 4th) and will remain in place until 5.00pm on Sunday. It will be preceded by a Status Yellow Rain and Snow warning from 1.00pm tomorrow and low temperatures are expected to persist throughout next week.
Heavy rain, transitioning to sleet and snow, is forecast throughout tomorrow and Sunday with significant accumulations. This will lead to very difficult travelling conditions; localised flooding; poor visibility; travel disruption delays to public transport likely; difficult conditions underfoot and animal welfare issues.
Cork County Council’s Crisis Management Team convened this afternoon ahead of the warning and the extended cold snap that is forecast. The Council will continue to implement its Winter Maintenance Plan which involves treating identified priority routes across the county. The plan and route map is available on the Council’s website: https://www.corkcoco.ie/en/resident/roads-and-transportation/severe-weather-information-warnings-road-alerts.
Cork County Council crews have been deployed to inspect key high-risk areas and will continue to monitor the situation throughout the period. Sandbags and pumping arrangements will be in place in known problem locations. Flood barriers will be erected in Mallow and Fermoy as a precaution.
Motorists are asked to avoid unnecessary journeys as driving conditions will be hazardous. Rainfall may limit the effectiveness of salting already undertaken. Motorists should continue to exercise care even where roads have been treated. Road users are advised to check the weather and road conditions along their planned route and destination before embarking on any journey.
Drivers are urged to slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey. Pedestrians are asked to take extra care while walking as footpaths can be extremely slippery due to ice.
Members of the public can contact Cork County Council’s Out of Hours number 021 4800048 to report any out of hours issues.
Key Safety Messages:
• People are advised to prepare for this period of severe weather including checking 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
• People travelling long journeys should check weather/ road conditions not just where they are starting from, but at their destination and along the route, as conditions may vary significantly.
• People should also check with transport operators before travelling as there may be disruption
• Farmers are advised to take all precautions when dealing with livestock and possibly working alone
• The Be Winter Ready website https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/aa78b9-be-winter-ready provides further advice on preparing for severe weather.
• 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 are advised to conserve water, and visit https://www.water.ie for advice.
Cork County Council will continue to provide updates on www.corkcoco.ie and across the Council’s social media channels @Corkcoco.