Fingal County Council Storm Emma – Situation Update (21:00)

Fingal County Council’s Crisis Management Team had its second Conference Call of the day at 8pm this evening. Updates were given in relation to situations at local, regional and national level.

Met Eireann has extended its Red Status Warning until 6pm tomorrow. The National Emergency Coordination Group is advising that people should not venture out of doors while the Red Warning in in place. The situation within Fingal at the moment is that Primary Routes are still passable but conditions are deteriorating as Storm Emma moves towards Ireland. Visibility is very poor in the Balbriggan because of the wind blowing snow in from the surrounding fields. A tree fell on the Rush to Skerries Road and was moved off to the side by a unit of the Dublin Fire Brigade. It will be removed once it is safe for a Council crew to be mobilised. There have also been power outages in Donabate, Lissenhall, Lusk, Swords, Malahide and Balbriggan. Council crews are on stand-by during the Red Warning phase and there is continuous monitoring of the situation. Regular assessments are being made as to the requirement for salting and ploughing during this period, but the safety of our crews is a priority in the decision-making process. There are also plans in place to provide the necessary assistance should any emergency situation require it during this period. Arrangements have also been made to mobilise crews to commence the clean-up once the danger has passed . The initial priority for the Council tomorrow will be to ensure that the Priority 1 and Priority 2 Routes are ploughed and gritted once it is safe to do so. The Council’s public offices, libraries and graveyards will remain closed tomorrow. The graveyards will also be closed on Saturday. All public parks and recycling centres remain closed until further notice. Any changes to these arrangements will be posted on our social media accounts and our media bulletins. The Council continues to provide essential emergency services primarily through staff in our Operations, Water Services, Housing and Corporate Affairs Departments. Members of the public can submit reports of issues caused by snowfall and low temperatures to www.fixyourstreet.ie. Issues can also be phoned to 01 8731415. These reports will be logged and assessed. Reports of people sleeping rough should be phoned to 999 or 112. Information is being continually posted on the Fingal Alerts app as well as our Twitter and Facebook accounts. ENDS For further information please contact press@fingal.ie