Thaw sorry!
» Freeze on way out... get ready for flooding »Thousands of homes without power & water
There’ll be outbreaks of rain with melting snow and a high risk of flooding as a result MET EIREANN YESTERDAY
FLOODING and more traffic chaos is one the way as the big thaw begins after Storm Emma and the Beast from the East.
While many roads remain impassable some 19,000 homes and businesses were without power yesterday and around 10,000 had no water.
Dubbed an “extreme weather event” by the Government’s National Emergency Co-ordination Group, Storm Emma’s lashing winds dumped huge snow drifts over large parts of Ireland – some a metre deep.
A Met Eireann nationwide Red Alert was downgraded to Orange for Munster, Leinster, Cavan and Monaghan until midday today with some further snow expected.
A forecaster said: “Sunday will be mostly cloudy with a gradual rise in temperatures.
“There will be further outbreaks of rain, especially in the south and east, with further melting of snow and an ongoing risk of flooding as a result.
“On high ground the rain may turn to snow again for a time.”
Tomorrow will see snow continue to thaw, with frost and icy patches in many places.
Some sleet has been predicted on Tuesday with some frost and ice and pockets of fog.
The worst may be gone, but continued sub-zero temperatures mean many areas will not be safe for a few days.
Widespread travel disruption is expected across the country as road conditions in many areas remain poor.
Schools may reopen tomorrow but only where possible, the Department of Education said.
A statement added: “Decisions will be made by colleges of further education and third level institutions on an individual basis depending on the circumstances and conditions in their area.
“As always, schools must ensure the safety of those in their care and give due consideration to this when making a decision to re-open.
“The position regarding student transport services will be regularly monitored over the weekend.
“It is expected that Bus Eireann will be in a position to advise schools on Sunday evening on school transport routes that will not operate on Monday and schools will contact the families involved.
“However, some decisions on individual transport routes may still not be confirmed until Monday morning given changing local conditions.”
It added that information on routes not running will be provided on www. buseireann.ie.
The NECG said the country was in recovery mode as conditions remain very difficult and the public is advised to exercise high levels of caution. High tides, onshore easterly winds and a sharp rise in river levels could pose a significant risk to public safety, it advised.
Most public transport resumed yesterday, but with limited services.
Council services are working to open main roads, the NECG added.
Air passengers saw widespread cancellations and delays at the country’s airports, with airlines advising customers to check their flight status online.
Meanwhile, churchgoers in the capital were told there is no obligation to attend Mass today. A message from the Archdiocese of Dublin said: “Where weather conditions make it unsafe or where road conditions make it dangerous, imprudent or difficult, there is no obligation to come.
“When people are unable to attend Mass it is recommended that they view or listen online, on television or radio or that they spend a time in prayer as individuals or as a family.
“Where serious conditions of access or safety arise regarding a church building, the parish priest or rector may decide that it may remain closed even on Sunday.
“This should be communicated locally.”
The HSE cancelled all non-urgent surgeries planned yesterday and said appointments will be re-scheduled.