ALL HANDS ON DECK AHEAD OF COLD SNAP

COUNCIL’S EMERGENCY COMMITTEE MAKE ICY WEATHER PREPARATIONS

AHEAD of the adverse weather which is predicted to bring freezing conditions to much of the country, Kerry’s emergency co-ordination group have met to prepare for the looming cold snap.

The Kerry Local Coordination Group (KLCG) met at County Buildings on Monday and Tuesday to review preparations for the adverse weather conditions forecast for later this week.

The Group consists of Kerry County Council, An Garda Síochána, Kerry Civil Defence, Kerry Fire Services, and the Health Services Executive.

Members assessed the current weather forecast and reviewed all the preparations which are being made for the expected freezing conditions in the coming days.

Following the meetings Kerry County Council said that salting of priority routes overnight will continue over the coming nights and road conditions will be closely monitored.

Additional routes will be treated as required over the course of the week.

However, drivers are advised to never assume that a route has been treated and to exercise caution at all times when driving in freezing conditions.

The owners of vacant premises – or properties which are likely to be empty during the cold spell – are asked to shut off their water supplies as a precaution in case of frozen pipes.

The KLCG also asks members of the public to look in on elderly or vulnerable neighbours to ensure they have adequate heating and food supplies for a few days.

The Group advises members of the public to prepare now for the cold conditions. Useful advice is available from the website, www.winterready.ie.

Updates will be provided on Kerry County Council social media channels and more information will be available on its dedicated Alerts website which can be found via a link on the Kerry County Council homepage. Regular alerts will also be posted on the Council’s Twitter account @countykerry.