LIVE: Tipperary county council crisis management team provide snow update

Tipperary County Council’s Crisis Management Team met this morning to discuss impacts and road conditions in Tipperary:

Significant snowfall across the country has led 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 Winter Service routes were treated yesterday, overnight and again early this morning. However conditions remain dangerous due to snow and ice including on routes where road surfaces have been treated. Further forecasted rainfall and freezing conditions may limit the effectiveness of road salting as rainfall can wash salt off the road and, combined with low road surface temperatures, allow 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.

Tipperary County Council Winter Service crews are prioritising the clearing and treatment of the planned winter maintenance salting routes. With further snow forecast and very low temperature forecast into the rest of the week this programme will continue to be prioritised.

The regional road at R497 Milestone to Hollyford and Resike to Curreeny and Griffins Cross is impassable because of compacted snow.

The council are making efforts to clear this route however this will take some time.

Currently many local routes are impassable across the county with streets and footpaths also in poor and icy condition in many towns. Local Council crews will be focusing on treating town centres and footpaths later today, particularly in the main towns of Clonmel, Nenagh, Thurles, Tipperary and Carrick-on-Suir. 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.

Tipperary County Fire Service responded to 24 calls since 9am on Sunday, most of which were weather-related incidents.

All Swimming Pools will be closed all day today. 

The Council’s Library offices are closed with the exception of Carrick-on-Suir. All Tipperary County Council Civic Amenity Sites are closed this morning; the situation is being reviewed with updates being publicised on the Council’s website.

The Council’s Customer Services Line remains open on 0818 06 5000 up to 4pm to report any issues and our emergency services out of hours line will be available after 4pm on 0818 06 5003.

Key Public Safety Messages:

• 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, so I’d advise people to 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
• People are advised to prepare for this period of severe weather including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.
• 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.
• Tipperary County Council out of hours emergency contact number                   0818 06 5003 for roads and housing (emergency electrical and plumbing issues only).
• 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 to get in touch with any issues or concerns via our 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. People can also sign up online to free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies – see www.water.ie.
• People are advised to conserve water, and visit https://www.water.ie for advice
• All disruptions to HSE services are on the HSE homepage and  on HSE social media channels https://www.hse.ie