Help Support Cork Safety Alerts – Donate the price of a coffee here via Stripe: https://csalert.ie/donate
Cork County Council’s Crisis Management Team convened this morning to assess road and weather conditions overnight.
A Status Yellow Low Temperature/Ice warning remains in place throughout this week until 12.00 midday on Thursday, the 9th of January.
Significant snow fall in north-west, north and mid Cork has lead to treacherous driving conditions with widespread icy conditions throughout the county. The Council is advising the public not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary.
The majority of priority routes were treated overnight and early this morning however conditions remain dangerous due to snow and ice. In some cases where road surfaces have been treated, further rainfall and freezing conditions will limit the effectiveness of salting already undertaken (rainfall can wash salt off the road and, combined with low road surface temperatures, allows ice to form).
If your journey is essential, please slow down, drive with caution, and be aware of other road users. Allow extra time for your journey. If a road has been treated by a gritter or snowplough, do not assume that the road is safe to travel. There may still be underlying snow or ice which would make the road hazardous.
Cork County Council is asking people to avoid the N20 Charleville to facilitate ploughing and gritting operations. Two ploughs are now operating on the route.
A snow plough is working on the Newmarket to Rockchapel road with only a single lane cleared in places due to snow accumulations. The Banteer to Nadd road remains closed due to fallen trees.
The regional Newtown to Bog Cross road in Dromina is impassable because of compacted snow.
Conditions are very poor on the R582 Macroom to Millstreet and R619 Coachford to Donoghmore roads, Council ploughs and salters are on site.
There are also reports of ice on N71 at the Viaduct with salting ongoing.
Cork County Fire Service responded to 41 calls since 9.00am on Sunday morning, most of which were weather related incidents.
Council crews will be focusing on treating town centres and footpaths this morning, particularly in North Cork.
Pedestrians are advised to take extra care. Where snow has fallen, or where there is a risk of lingering ice, do not venture out unless it is absolutely necessary. Be aware of the fact that greenways, cycleways and other public amenities will likely not have been treated. Remember that a simple trip/fall could give rise to the need for a hospital admission, so please take extra care.
Cork County Council’s Emergency Line remains open on 021 4800048 to report any issues.
Mallow and Fermoy Swimming Pools will be closed all day today. Dunmanway Swimming Pool is closed this morning and will be reviewed before lunchtime.
The Council’s Mobile Library will service have been suspended for the day and will therefore not be operating. All Cork County Council Civic Amenity Sites are closed this morning; the situation is being reviewed with updates being publicised on the Council’s website.
Council offices in Annabella Mallow will be closed to the public until further notice due to icy conditions. The phone lines for the building remain in operation.
Key Safety Messages:
- Wintry showers and icy surfaces will lead to difficult travel conditions
- Driving conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted, slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey.
- Drivers travelling longer journeys are advised to be aware of conditions right along their route, as the weather may vary significantly across different parts of the country.
- Public transport may also be affected by this spell of wintry weather, check with service operators for the latest updates in their area.
- Take extra care while walking: footpaths etc. can be extremely hazardous/slippery due to ice
- Check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours
- Keep your phone charged and take it with you on all journeys. In an emergency dial 999 or 112
- The Be Winter Ready website https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/aa78b9-be-winter-ready provides further advice on preparing for severe weather.
- Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.
- ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor www.PowerCheck.ie.
- Uisce Éireann Customers can check their website and social media channels for updates and can report any issues or concerns via its 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278.
- People are advised to conserve water, and visit https://www.water.ie for advice
- Farmers are advised to take all precautions when dealing with livestock and possibly working alone
Cork County Council will continue to provide updates on www.corkcoco.ie and across the Council’s social media channels @Corkcoco.