Emergency crews on high alert as Ireland braces for -4C Siberian weather front
It’s about to get a whole lot colder.
After a frosty start on higher ground this morning, temperatures will barely creep above 5C today, as the country prepares for a week of ice, sleet and snow and lows of -4C in parts of the country by Tuesday.
A Met Éireann Weather Advisory for Ireland kicked in this morning, warning that “Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be very cold with temperatures in low single figures by day and with sharp or severe frosts and icy patches at night.”
Hazardous conditions are expected on roads and paths from now until at least 6pm on Wednesday, February 10th.
Cork City Council will begin salting and gritting approximately 240 kilometres of priority public roads and pathways tonight and will continue throughout the week.
Over 100 tonnes of salt will be distributed by Cork City Council crews over a nine-hour period each night. You can check out a map of Cork City Council’s salting route here.
⚠️Attention road users⚠️
❄️Cold weather is forecasted for next week❄️
🛻Our operations crew will be gritting priority routes across Cork City Centre and suburbs
🗺️Find the @corkcitycouncil salting route map here: https://t.co/glWWLuzeYM@CorkChamber @CBA_cork pic.twitter.com/1YC1eihUhb
— Cork City Council #StayHome #StaySafe (@corkcitycouncil) February 6, 2021
“Cork City Council continues to keep the situation under review and advises the public to continue to monitor weather forecasts throughout the week.” said a spokesperson.
“If walking or driving within your five kilometres, never assume a route has been treated and exercise caution when travelling in freezing conditions.”
Numbers to keep handy
Cork City Council is taking precautionary measures and is advising the public to make preparations:
- Owners of vacant premises are asked to shut off their water supplies as a precaution in case of frozen pipes. Property owners are advised to ensure outside taps are insulated.
- 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.
- Cork City Council’s Customer Service line is open from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for any service requests on 021 4924000. Outside of these hours, emergency requests can be logged on 021 4966512.
- Cork City Community Response Forum remains active during Level Five restrictions, even in bad weather conditions. If you are elderly or self-isolating and need assistance, contact the Community Call line on 1800 222 226 from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or email covidsupport@corkcity.ie.
