EIREANN
»»temperatures climb but weather alerts stay »»Fears thaw could unleash local flooding
ice the public has been advised to watch out for flooding hazards.
Deluges have already hit Dublin and Wicklow with Dun Laoghaire and Clontarf particularly badly hit.
Cork city remains on a high flood alert as do county towns of Midleton, Youghal, Clonakilty and Bantry.
A high tide advisory remains in place and local councils continue to monitor sea levels, especially on the east and south coasts. The National Emergency Coordination Group warned parts of the east “are still in full crisis management mode”.
It added: “This is something we haven’t seen for 35 years and very challenging conditions exist in many areas.”
Deep snow in Wexford, West Wicklow and North Kildare means some communities have been isolated by huge drifts.
Schools are unlikely to open tomorrow in these worst affected areas.
The emergency group asked people to use public transport, which has returned with some restrictions and urged employers to stagger start times.
Potential traffic on the M7 poses a challenge with heavy snowfalls in Kildare resulting in a restriction to one lane near Naas, Co Kildare. It was an extremely busy weekend for the emergency services with more than 1,000 ambulance calls were answered in 24 hours
The HSE has cancelled all non-urgent surgeries planned for today.
Outpatients and day surgeries, are expected to resume, apart from some areas still experiencing travel difficulties.
An Post said it was working through the night to ensure a return to full national delivery, collection and Post Office services wherever possible today.
Today’s weather is be dry with showers later. COUNCILS need extra cash to deal with road damage caused by Storm Emma, a politician has said.
Fianna Fail has urged Transport Minister Shane Ross to provide extra funds to deal with fresh potholes.
Spokesman Robert Troy said: “He needs to reassure local authorities that a supplementary budget will be made available to ensure roads are repaired and not cause pothole damage.
“Long-term and preventative road maintenance is ultimately the only way to properly withstand these conditions.” HEALTH and safety chiefs have urged workers involved in repair work to be vigilant.
The Health and Safety Authority warned fixing overhead lines or farm buildings roofs should be undertaken with caution.
Farmers should wear footwear with good grips, a high-visibility jacket and tell someone their estimated time of return.
HSE chief Martin O’halloran says: “With the likelihood of heavy rain and flooding to come I would call on all employers and employees to put personal safety first at all times.” A HOMELESS charity provided more than 120 beds during Storm Emma.
The Peter Mcverry Trust accommodated rough sleepers in the St Catherine’s Sports Centre in Dublin’s south inner city on Saturday.
That was six more than the previous night.
The trust’s street team saw 14 people sleeping rough in Dublin city centre on Saturday night, with three taking up the offer of emergency accommodation.
Four people sleeping rough in Newbridge, Co Kildare, accepted the trust’s offer of a bed.