Shutdown: storm warning to clear streets by 4pm
■ Fears of potentially fatal conditions as blizzard hits ■ ‘Do not be out there,’ warns Emergency chairman ■ Defence Forces to take on ambulances and fire fighting ■ ‘Clash Zone’ as Storm Emma meets Arctic freeze ■ Schools kept closed and public trans
ALMOST the entire population of four million people have been told to be at home by 4pm today as the country braces itself for blizzard-like conditions with potentially fatal impact.
Not since 1982 has the country been struck with such force, as Storm Emma clashes with Arctic winds. It will cause heavy snowfall and gusts of up to 110kmh, resulting in “zero-visibility”.
In the Status Red weather warning, Munster and Lein- ster will be worst-hit, and be effectively shut down. Schools will be closed and public transport severely curtailed.
The Defence Forces will drive ambulances and fire brigades, due to safety concerns.
Government emergency group chairman Sean Hogan said: “People will need to be conscious of the conditions which prevail. Our message is very clear – this storm is coming.
“Do not be out there.”
ALMOST four million people have been told to be at home by 4pm today as the country braces itself for blizzard-like conditions with potentially fatal consequences.
Not since 1982 has the country been struck with such force by Mother Nature, as Storm Emma clashes with Arctic winds. It will cause heavy snowfall and gusts of up to 110kmh, resulting in “zero-visibility”.
Munster and Leinster will be worst-hit, and will effectively be shut down. Schools and all non-essential Government departments and agencies in Munster and Leinster are closed today and tomorrow.
Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus services are suspended until Saturday while Luas services will stop running in Dublin by lunchtime, with Irish Rail services suspended by 2pm countrywide.
The Defence Forces are being prepped to conduct emergency ambulance and fire-fighting, due to concerns about safety risk to personnel. Army 4x4 trucks are on standby for road dispatches, while the Coast Guard have been asked to keep their helicopters available.
“The National Ambulance Service will still be responding to 999 and 112 calls and offer the best assistance they can,” the HSE said. “The Defence Forces will provide assistance, but the National Ambulance Service will continue to respond to calls.”
The situation will be kept under review in Connacht and Ulster, but there are now major fears about flooding in Cork tomorrow due to high spring tides, coupled with the storm.
A Status Red weather warning has been imposed by Met Éireann from 4pm today until 12pm tomorrow in Munster and Leinster, with an Orange warning in place for the rest of the country. But snow will fall in all parts as temperatures plunge to as low as -7C.
The Red warning means the public should not venture outdoors between these hours, as there is a heightened risk of death or serious injury.
In a stark warning, the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) said people should not drive or be outside from 4pm today when Storm Emma makes landfall on the south coast. They should remain indoors until noon tomorrow.
There is concern that even a brief journey could mean a person becoming isolated or disorientated in freezing conditions.
“People will need to be conscious of the conditions which prevail. Our message is very clear – this storm is coming,” NECG chairman Sean Hogan said. “Our concern is if you get driving wind and snow together, visibility which is very poor, and if you’re out there you may become disoriented and get lost very quickly.
“If you fall ... unfortunately we had cases where people died during the cold spells in 2010 who were out doors. There’s a very real public safety issue here.
“There’s an obvious issue about driving,” he added. “It would be suicidal to go driving in blizzard-like conditions. Ordinary snow poses difficult enough conditions for motorists and the authorities. That is why we’re saying do not be out there from 4pm. This is like Ophelia.”
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar warned today is not one for “daredevils”.
“Bear in a mind that in a blizzard scenario, people might not even be able to see the hand in front of their face,” he said.
Mr Varadkar asked people to heed the warnings and “not to risk life or risk limb by going out in the snow or engaging in daredevil activities”.
He said ambulance and fire crews should only be called out to “genuine emergencies”.
Met Éireann forecaster Evelyn Cusack said the “clash zone” where Storm Emma will meet Arctic temperatures, the so-called ‘Beast from the East’, is over Ireland which prompted the Red warning.
The intensity of the snow and winds will lessen as the storm moves west, she added.
“Because the Siberian air is very dry, the snow is very granular, it’s very light snow,” she said. “That’s going to be whipped up by the gale force winds, there will be more or less zero-visibility. It’s very dangerous snow from a visibility point of view. We’re expecting minimum temperatures of -1C to -7C.
“We’re not saying there won’t be snow in the west, but it will be of lesser intensity. For Storm Emma, the biggest effect will be eastern and southern areas.”
Local authorities spent much of yesterday salting and gritting roads, keeping most of the main routes open.
Employers have been asked to consider if they need to remain open and, if so, to ensure staff make it safely home by 4pm. Schools, third-level institutions and colleges of further education are closed in the Red warning areas, and subject to local conditions in other parts.