Statement from the National Emergency Coordination Group on Severe Weather
The National Emergency Coordination Group on Severe Weather issued a statement on Wednesday 3rd January 2018. View the statement.
Update - Storm Eleanor impact in County Wexford
Wexford County Council Press Release – 12:00 hrs Wednesday 3 January, 2018.
Storm Eleanor passed through Wexford late yesterday evening, bringing storm-force winds and considerable rainfall to many parts of the county.
A Status Orange wind warning (Met Éireann’s second-highest level warning) was in place for all of Leinster, prompting Wexford County Council to put its well practised emergency response procedures into place. The Council’s emergency response crews were placed on standby throughout the evening and flood protection barriers were erected at key locations, while the Council’s out of hours Emergency Line 1890 666777 was also on alert.
The Council issued a number of public safety messages through it’s Website, Twitter and Mapalerter accounts and on local radio as the storm approached the Southeast.
Happily, Storm Eleanor had a limited impact in County Wexford, with reports of a small number of trees down in the Enniscorthy District, and some instances of minor flooding in New Ross and Ballyhack, Arthurstown and Wellingtonbridge areas. The Council received eight storm-related calls to it’s Out of Hours Emergency Contact Number between 17:00 hrs on January 2nd and 09:00 hrs on January 3rd. All incidents were responded to immediately by our on-call crews.
Wexford County Council wishes to thank the public for heeding the public safety messages issued yesterday evening and also for taking extra care on the county’s roads this morning, in the aftermath of Storm Eleanor.
We also thank our emergency response personnel, outdoor staff, fire crews, engineering and management staff, and Civil Defence volunteers for their swift and professional response to the potential threat posed by this latest storm incident.
Wexford County Council Press Release – 4pm Tuesday 2 January, 2018.
Met Eireann has issued an Orange Wind Warning in respect of large parts of Ireland, including all of Leinster, as Storm Eleanor moves in off the Atlantic later this afternoon and crosses the country this evening.
A category of ORANGE level weather warnings is for weather conditions which have the capacity to impact significantly on people in the affected areas. It implies that all recipients in the affected areas should prepare themselves in an appropriate way for the anticipated conditions.
In response to this orange level warning, Wexford County Council’s Emergency Management Committee met this afternoon. The Committee took the decision to place all Council emergency services crews on standby throughout the evening and also directed that Wexford Civil Defence teams be on standby also.
Our main concern is in respect of severe winds, as speeds 65 to 80 km/h, gusting to 110 to 130 km/h., are expected. Current predictions suggest the storm will be at its most severe in County Wexford between the hours of 4pm and 8pm this evening.
Wexford County Council offers the following advice to the public:
• Avoid any unnecessary journeys this evening due to the threat of fallen trees, windblown debris etc
• Stay away from the coast and from all piers and harbours until the storm has abated.
• Be aware of the dangers posed by loose or falling slates, hoardings on buildings etc, especially in built-up areas. Be particularly vigilant in respect of downed cables, electricity wires etc.
• In the event of road closures, follow the diversions indicated.
• Check Wexford County Council’s website and Twitter accounts for updates and stay tuned to local radio as we bring you further information throughout the evening.
Wexford County Council reminds the public of our “Out of Hours” Emergency Contact Number – 1890 666777