Council launch new Storm Preparation Guide
GALWAY County Council has launched a new Storm Preparation Guide to help households prepare for the potential impact of severe weather.
The guide is designed to help people prepare for issues including prolonged electricity outages, travel disruption and interruptions to water and other essential services. It also sets out the supports available to people when severe weather causes significant disruption.
“Preparation is key when facing a major weather event," stated Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council Cllr Andrew Reddington.
“This guide provides practical advice on preparing for power outages, travel disruption and other impacts, while also highlighting the supports available to people and communities. Taking a few simple steps in advance can make a significant difference when severe weather strikes.”
Community Support Centres
The County-Wide Community Support Centre Network was established in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn and provides a structure through which the local authority can work with local communities when people are affected by major weather events.
A network of 70 Community Support Centres are now available across the county to support communities during major emergencies.
Each centre has a large, heated space for people to gather, seating, kitchen facilities for providing basic refreshments, toilets, first aid equipment, Wi-Fi, device-charging facilities and a private room or additional space where required.
Many centres also provide additional facilities such as showers, car parking, generators and accessible facilities.
Community Support Centre Coordinator, Theresa Donohue, believes the County-Wide Community Support Centre Network will play an important role in supporting communities during severe weather events.
“There were a lot of learnings from Storm Éowyn about how the local authority and communities can work together to better safeguard the safety and welfare of the public during weather emergencies,” noted Ms Donohue.
“Our community support centre network is an important part of that approach and provides a structure through which communities can support people when there is significant disruption."
Roads Winter Treatment Programme
The council is also preparing for the winter treatment of around 1,300km of roads across the county, about half of which are classed Priority 1 and 2 routes. They include strategic roads but are mainly national roads.
They are treated whenever frost is forecast, while Priority 3 routes, primarily regional roads, are treated during more severe weather. The council aims to have morning treatments completed by 8am.
They have an indoor storage capacity for around 3,600 tonnes of salt, with stocks replenished as required throughout the winter.
Galway County Council Chief Executive, Liam Conneally, feels they have an important role to play, alongside the emergency services, community groups and other organisations, in preparing for future weather emergencies.
“I would urge households and businesses across the county to visit www.galway.ie and familiarise themselves with the key information in the Storm Preparation Guide, as well as the range of supports and services available during emergency situations,” commented Mr Conneally.
“Being prepared in advance can make a significant difference when severe weather affects communities and essential services,” he concluded.
Printed copies of the Storm Preparation Guide, available in English, Irish and Ukrainian, are available at all 29 public library branches across Galway, at the five Municipal District offices and at County Hall in Galway City. It is also available to view on www.galway.ie.