Advice for Cork farmers and people living in rural areas ahead of snow warning

Cork County Council has urged people to take extreme care, as Met Éireann issued a Status Orange rain and snow warning.

Cork County Council’s crisis management team convened on Friday afternoon and has confirmed it will continue to implement its winter maintenance plan, which involves treating identified priority routes. 

Council crews have been deployed to inspect key high-risk areas and will continue to monitor the situation. Sandbags and pumping arrangements will be in place in known problem locations, and flood barriers will be erected in Mallow and Fermoy.

Motorists are asked to avoid unnecessary journeys and to check the weather and road conditions before leaving, and people should check with transport operators before travelling, as there may be disruptions. Drivers are urged to drive with caution and allow extra time for journeys, and pedestrians are asked to take extra care.

Members of the public can contact Cork County Council’s out of hours number 021 4800048, ESB Emergency Services at 1800 372 999 in the event of an outage, and Uisce Éireann customers can get in touch at 1800 278 278.

The council also advised people to check on elderly, vulnerable, and isolated neighbours and to keep phones charged.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said: “While farmers always make every effort to look after livestock during poor weather, they must prioritise their own safety.

“It is important that farmers have measures in place to ensure outwintered and housed livestock have access to fresh water during freezing conditions. Supplies of drinking water should be checked daily, and surface ice broken on troughs twice per day. It is important that taps are not left running to prevent freezing.”

For animal welfare issues connected with severe weather, farmers can contact the department’s animal welfare helpline at 01 607 2379.