FLOOD protection measures are in place in Limerick city as the Local Co-ordination Group monitors water levels on the River Shannon as well as #StormEmma and the #BeastFromTheEast weather fronts move in on Ireland.
A spokesperson for the local authority said that the flood protection measures are in place with tides above 6m expected at 6am and 6pm on Friday.
Meantime, the most recent weather charts have indicated that the severe weather will be most intense from later this Thursday evening, although the advice remains the same to stay indoors.
The Local Co-ordination Group comprising of Limerick City and County Council, the HSE, UL Hospitals and An Garda Síochána along with the Defence Forces have met again this afternoon to monitor the situation and is remaining in regular contact as the events unfold.
Gritting of strategic roads across the city and county will take place again this afternoon ahead of the arrival later this evening of Storm Emma.
Priority is given to the road network which carries almost 85 per cent of Limerick’s traffic.
The RED Alert for Snow and Ice remains in place until 3pm on Friday.
Met Éireann is forecasting that blizzard conditions will develop from the south this afternoon and evening as heavy snow and strong easterly winds bring snow drifts northwards over the country. Eastern and southern coastal counties will be worst affected.
The Group is urging people to take care ahead of the extreme weather.
Limerick City and County Council Offices, including libraries, museums and galleries remain closed until Monday morning at 9am.
The People’s Park, Clare St Park, Shelbourne Park, Mungret Park and Castletroy Park were closed on Thursday afternoon and will remain closed on Friday.
Weather permitting they will re-open on Saturday.
Essential services will continue to be provided and the council can be contacted on 061 556000 or for out of hours emergencies on 061 417833.
HSE Mid West has advised that all routine Community Healthcare and Hospital services across Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary were differed and only the most essential homecare and community nursing services are being prioritised for delivery to older people and people with disabilities from this evening. Specialised services for complex paediatrics at home are continuing.
UL Hospitals have also restricted services to essential and emergency for the Red alert period and have made contact with people for whom special arrangements and continuity of service needs to be maintained. Anyone who has an appointment scheduled at a UL Hospital site and is in doubt can contact the relevant hospital.
For more information about being prepared for adverse weather conditions, visit www.winterready.ie.
The Local Co-ordination Group is part of #LKWorkingTogether, Limerick’s public services working together.
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