28 February 2018, 12 noon
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Following overnight snowfalls, Cork City Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team convened earlier this morning to review the situation regarding the deteriorating weather conditions. Scattered heavy snow showers will continue today, tonight and into tomorrow with further accumulations of snow occurring. Most significantly, the City Council notes the Status Red Weather warning that has now issued for Cork (and other counties) from Met Eireann.
Blizzard-like conditions are being forecasted to develop in heavy snow and strong easterly winds on Thursday evening and will continue on Thursday night into Friday morning, causing significant snow drifts in many areas.
This Status Red Weather warning is valid from 16.00 on Thursday, 1st March 2018 to 12.00 on Friday, 2nd March, 2018. The City Council continues to advise the public to be vigilant and to stay tuned to various news media for weather / warning updates. The public should make appropriate arrangements with the prospect of deteriorating weather conditions for the remainder of the week, and to heed all public warnings that may issue over the coming days. Cork City Council 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 deteriorate.
The City Council is continuing to liaise with the emergency housing providers and accommodation has been made available to anyone who may seek such assistance over the period of severe weather. The Irish Water Contact number for any water issues e.g. leaks, loss of water, dirty water, sewage issues etc. is 1850 278 278. Members of the public are advised to ring this number if they experience any Water Services related issues. The City Council has set up a central dedicated number 1800 283 034 for the duration of the Severe Weather event.
The Cork City Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team will reconvene later today again to assess matters as they unfold and will issue further updates, as necessary.
