Carlow County Council Weather Warning & Advisory 8th January 2025

Carlow County Council have attended an online National Co-ordination meeting with the National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management and Met Éireann this morning, subsequently Carlow County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team have met again and the Severe Weather Response Plan has been activated.  Further meetings, briefings and updates will continue throughout the period of severe weather.

Carlow County Council have established a Severe Weather Event Control Centre to receive, handle and manage calls from the Public during this severe weather event.  The Severe Weather Event Control Centre will be open from 09:00 – 17:00. The contact number is 059 9170302 and the email address to report to the centre is weatheremergency@carlowcoco.ie Any urgent need to contact Carlow County Council staff during out of office hours must be made through the out of hours assistance phone number 059 9170300.

Met Éireann has issued Yellow & Orange Weather Warnings for Co Carlow:

Updated public safety messaging:

• Very cold daytime and extremely cold night-time low temperatures from tonight 08/01/25 to Friday 10/01/25. Daytime temperatures predicted to range from -1 to +4 degrees C with night-time temperatures predicted to range from -2 to -7 degrees C. 
• Freezing fog may effect Co Carlow overnight and mornings which will pose additional hazardous driving conditions 08/01/25 to Friday 10/01/25.  Road users reminded about driving in Freezing fog:
  • In patches of fog, switch on fog lights where visibility is reduced. As you enter fog, check your mirrors and slow down. Use your foot brake lightly so that your lights warn following drivers.
  • To prevent windscreen wipers from freezing and seizing up in freezing fog, add anti-freeze screen washer to the water tank. Check that the wipers for wear and tear and replace them if they are.
  • Do not drive on the tail-lights of the vehicle in front. This can give a false sense of security and you will be too close to be able to brake safely. In heavy fog, turn off your radio and let down your driver’s window a fraction, so as you can hear other traffic.
  • Remember to switch off your fog lights once the foggy conditions improve.
  • Further advice available about driving in severe weather at www.rsa.ie
• Although Snow may have dispersed, due to the expected extremely cold temperatures forecasted road users should drive with extra care and adjust driver behaviour according to local road conditions.
• 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/services/disruptions/
• Take extra care and due diligence while walking: footpaths even those which have been cleared and/or salted can be extremely hazardous/slippery due to ice.
• Check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours.
• Property owners should take measures to protect their water pipes from freezing during this severe weather event. 
  • Insulate water tanks & Pipes
  • Check your inside stop valve operates
  • Minimise all draughts
  • Keep your home warm
  • Further advice available at https://www.water.ie/help/supply/winterproofing#:~:text=Leave%20heating%20on%20for%20longer,freezing%20in%20the%20cold%20weather.  
• Farmers are advised to take all precautions when dealing with livestock, the maintenance of provision of water for animals and possibly working alone.
• Public parks will remain closed.
• Borris Library is closed, other Libraries have reopened.
• Civic amenities Powerstown & Kernanstown recycling facility will remain closed today 08/01/25 and will reopen tomorrow 09/01/25.
• Weather conditions will be disruptive for travel throughout the warning timeframes. Wintery showers, sleet, snow and icy surfaces can make driving conditions hazardous, especially for the more vulnerable road users, e.g., cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and high sided vehicles. 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.  Cyclists need to exercise extreme caution during this cold weather spell. While key routes are being gritted, cycle routes may not have been gritted. The public should note that local conditions will vary across the country and consider those conditions. Any necessary journeys should be planned carefully in advance of setting out. 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.  Further road safety advice can be found at www.rsa.ie with specific advice about driving in snow/ice found at https://www.rsa.ie/docs/default-source/road-safety/campaign-docs/weather/top_10_tips_driving_snow_ice.pdf?sfvrsn=a250dfff_5#:~:text=Manoeuvre%20gently%2C%20slow%20down%20and,downhill%20especially%20if%20through%20bends.  
• Carlow Co Co winter maintenance plan and salting routes are available at https://carlow.ie/media/1028/download?inline
• Upon expiration of any weather warning and/or advisory road users should drive with extra care and adjust driver behaviour according to local road conditions.
• Road users and pedestrians should pay particular attention to any fallen trees, fallen wires and/or service carrying poles e.g. ESB. 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). ESB power check service can be accessed to report and/or ascertain power outages in your area.

Public Safety Information - protective actions advised:

• Carlow County Council's Homeless Services operates an extended Cold Weather Protocol from November 1st, 2024 to March 31st, 2025. With the assistance of funding provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and in accordance with the Regional Homeless Action Plan, Carlow County Council is operating a cold weather initiative for anyone that is homeless and rough sleeping. This scheme operates throughout the winter period and any person that is rough sleeping may contact Carlow County Council to avail of an overnight bed during the winter period. Anyone that is rough sleeping should make contact with homeless services by email to homeless@carlowcoco.ie or during  office hours  phone 059 9172496 .  After office hours  phone  059 9170300. If any member of the public sees a person rough sleeping they may report this and a member of the homeless services team will investigate. The homeless team will also actively carry out patrols in the Town areas and make contact with homeless people at risk during extreme weather.  Further information can be found here Homelessness Support | Carlow Co Co 
• Carlow County Council have established a Severe Weather Event Control Centre open from 09:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs in response to the severe weather, contact number is 059-9170302  and the email address to report to the centre is weatheremergency@carlowcoco.ie
• Check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours.
• 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
• People are advised to prepare for the arrival of the wintry conditions including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication. 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.
• Please check with Transport For Ireland for updates on public transport operations and networks https://www.transportforireland.ie/ and local transport operators for their latest updates. 
• Those travelling by air over the week should allow plenty of time for their journey. Passengers seeking updates regarding specific flights should contact their airline directly.
• Take extra care and due diligence while walking: footpaths even those which have been cleared and/or salted can be extremely hazardous/slippery due to ice.
• 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 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.
• Advice for Air to Water heating systems during cold weather: -
  • The top temperature setting should be maintained at 18 to 21 Degrees, regardless of the temperature outside. This is the most efficient and sustainable temperature. If it is set any higher the property will never get up to 24 or 25 degrees and the outdoor unit will likely freeze over or fault out as it is constantly running.
  • Depending on personal preference turn the stats down at night to a maximum of 12 to 15 Degrees. If they are left at the high temperature the outdoor unit will be running all night in very low temperatures. Apart from the inefficiency, it will be producing condensate that will freeze and eventually clog up the unit.
• Farmers are advised to take all precautions when dealing with livestock and possibly working alone.
• The Public are advised to stay away from areas of high ground where there may be significant accumulations of snowfall and be inaccessible such as Mt. Leinster. The L-3005-23 road from Carroll’s Cross to Tomduff at the Nine Stones will be closed from 14:00 hrs Saturday 04/01/25 until the period of severe weather ends.  Local access will be available from Tomduff side only.
• 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.
• 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
• 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 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.
• 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
• Tá aip saor in aisce ag an bhFeidhmeannas do Dhaoine Gan Dídean i Réigiún Bhaile Átha Cliath (DRHE) a chuireann ar chumas an phobail iad a chur ar an eolas faoi aon duine a bhíonn ag codladh amuigh, ionas gur féidir le foirne for-rochtana teagmháil a dhéanamh leo. Más mian leat duine atá ag codladh 
• 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. 

Contact Details:

The contact number for Carlow County Council Out of Hours Assistance for Local Authority services of an urgent nature is 059 9170300.

A Severe Weather Event Control Centre will be established in response to the severe weather alert open 09:00 – 17:00 hrs - 059 9170302 and the email address to report to the centre is weatheremergency@carlowcoco.ie .

Other advise & emergency contact details include:

Fire/An Garda Síochána/National Ambulance Service 999/112,

Water and Wastewater (Irish Water) 1800 278 278

ESB 1800 372 999

Gas Networks Ireland 1800 205 050

Transport For Ireland https://www.transportforireland.ie/

The Road Safety Authority www.rsa.ie

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 

Met Éireann Weather Warning:

Leinster - Met Éireann - The Irish Meteorological Service https://www.met.ie/leinster-forecast.html

Warnings & Advisories - Met Éireann - The Irish Meteorological Service https://www.met.ie/warnings-today.html

Weather warnings explanation - Met Éireann - The Irish Meteorological Service https://www.met.ie/weather-warnings