Cork weather: Council advises older people to stay indoors as temperatures set to plummet
Cork County Council has urged people to check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours.
The Cork County Local Coordination Group convened this afternoon ahead of the Met Éireann Status Orange low temperature/ice warning coming into effect this evening.
The group is made up of senior representatives from Cork County Council, An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Defence Forces, ESB Networks and Uisce Éireann.
The Coordination Group is urging all road users to take extreme care if they must travel over the coming days and to check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours, advising that extremely cold conditions are forecast overnight with widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow leading to hazardous travelling conditions on roads and underfoot.
⚠️The Cork County Local Coordination Group convened this afternoon ahead of a Met Éireann Status Orange Low Temperature/Ice warning which comes into effect at 6.00pm this evening with extremely cold conditions, widespread severe frost and ice.
— Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) January 8, 2025
The group is made up of senior… pic.twitter.com/qSSntZ5J86
The agencies have been liaising and working together throughout the extended cold snap. The Group is collaborating on the deployment of resources, planning and organising support interventions, and identifying priority tasks.
The work of the many voluntary emergency service providers across the length and breadth of the county is recognised in particular, with the council saying they “have been doing phenomenal work in assisting communities in coping with the severe weather conditions.”
“Conditions remain extremely challenging on many routes in north-west and north Cork where lying snow continues to be an issue,” the council shared, adding that its crews are continuing to treat priority routes, however, due to the low temperatures, widespread icy patches can be expected even on treated roads.
They added: “The ongoing low temperatures means there is a higher risk of slips, trips and falls on icy footpaths and steps. Older people should not venture outdoors in severe weather if possible.
“People with less severe injuries and symptoms may have to wait to be seen. If you need care, visit your pharmacy, GP or family doctor, GP Out of Hours, or if it is safe for you to travel, the injury unit in Mallow for non-serious injuries.”
ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999, and 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 its 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278.
Cork County Council’s Emergency Line remains open on 021 4800048 to report any issues, and they will continue to provide updates on https://www.corkcoco.ie/en and across the council’s social media channels @Corkcoco.
Cold weather is also contributing to pressure on healthcare settings, with 103 people on trolleys in Cork hospitals today and nearly 500 treated on trolleys across Cork so far this year.
The figure, compiled by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), includes 70 people on trolleys in Cork University Hospital, 21 in the Mercy and 12 in Bantry.
Cork’s Colm Porter, the INMO’s assistant director of Industrial Relations said that emergency departments are dealing with high levels of flu as well as injuries from falls, while staff are struggling to get to work.
“There’s no doubt that the weather is adding to it and putting stress on services, there are also a lot of staff who are struggling to get into work.
“A lot of people from north Cork and Limerick are working in CUH and coming in from those areas has been a huge struggle – CUH have been very good about helping to accommodate for that though.”
He added: “It’s really an all hands to the wheel situation at the moment, nurses and midwives are some of the people who just have to be in work, they can’t cancel emergency departments or births like they can cancel non-urgent appointments.”
Today’s figures mean 326 people have been treated on trolleys in CUH in 2025 so far, as well as 110 in the Mercy and 59 in Bantry – a total of 495 just one week into the year.
Mr Porter said that that the bad weather coinciding with peak flu season meant a difficult start to 2024: “It is not ideal timing when you’ve got the flu cases through the roof, but here’s hoping it will get better.”
Several medical services, largely in North Cork, will not go ahead tomorrow, as the HSE South West Regional executive officer said they are seeing a lot of people injured after slipping on ice.
Appointments scheduled for tomorrow in Cork University Hospital, Mercy University Hospital and the South Infirmary – Victoria University Hospital will go ahead as planned, but the HSE continue to appeal to patients not to travel to the city unless it is absolutely safe to do so.
Appointments will also go ahead on Thursday at community facilities around the city, East Cork and South Cork.
However, anyone who is unable to attend a hospital or community appointment is asked to contact the local team who will offer them a new appointment as soon as possible.
The HSE advised: “You will not lose your appointment, so please stay safe at home if travel is risky.”
At Mallow General Hospital, there will be no in-person appointments. However, some outpatient appointments will be conducted via telemedicine or by telephone. All scheduled theatre procedures for Thursday are cancelled but endoscopy appointments are going ahead.
At Bantry General Hospital, endoscopy is cancelled, the out-patient service is operational in the afternoon and the medical assessment unit is open as usual. Patients will be contacted if there are any cancellations.
Some appointments have also been cancelled at Cork University Maternity Hospital and patients have been contacted directly, while all non-urgent gynaecological appointments at the Lee Clinic are cancelled tomorrow also.
Patients are asked to contact the CUMH on 021-492 0500 with any questions.
Appointments at community facilities in North Cork will also be affected. Staff will be in touch as soon as possible to reschedule appointments, and where it is possible and appropriate, staff may offer virtual appointments. Anyone in doubt should contact the service that made the appointment.
Cancelled services in North Cork tomorrow include appointments in Community Services including physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, community psychology, podiatry, audiology, dietetics, child development clinics and eye care clinics, dental services, day services for older people, school vaccinations, appointments at ICPOP (Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons) and Integrated Care Programme Chronic Diseases and all mental health day services, day hospitals and outpatient services.
HSE South West Regional executive officer Dr Andy Phillips said: “Our incredible staff are working night and day to keep as many hospital and community services clinics and appointments to schedule.
“I wish the sincerely thank everyone who is going above and beyond to help this week, including those in the Defence Forces and community organisations who are assisting us, wherever possible.
“We are hopeful that most appointments will go to plan on Thursday; apart from in North and West Cork, where the icy conditions are too dangerous - in places - to ask either staff or patients to travel.
He added: “Slips and falls in the icy conditions are also a huge concern. People are falling while de-icing the car, letting the dog out, or bringing in shopping. Please take extra care, but if you need non-urgent medical attention, you will be seen faster at a minor injury unit as our emergency departments are under severe pressure at the moment.”
Injury units treat recent injuries that are not life-threatening and unlikely to result in admission to hospital - most injury units treat patients over 5 years of age, but some injury units have higher age limits, so people are asked to check the website before attending.
Injury units can treat broken bones, sprains and strains, minor facial injuries, scalds, burns, wounds, bites, cuts, grazes and scalp lacerations, small abscesses and boils, splinters and fish hooks, objects stuck in eyes, ears or nose and minor head injuries.
The national emergency co-ordination Group (NECG) met again today to discuss the disruption caused by the ongoing cold weather and the latest weather warnings issued by Met Éireann.
They have advised that as the extremely cold weather continues, widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow will again cause dangerous travelling conditions, travel disruption, and potential animal welfare issues.
Tonight will again see lowest temperatures of between -3C and -8C.
There will be severe frost, ice or black ice and patches of freezing fog.
Tomorrow will also remain bitterly cold with frost, ice and freezing fog lingering throughout the day in many areas.
Keith Leonard, national director of the national directorate for fire and emergency management, said: “Unfortunately we are seeing no let up in the bitterly cold weather conditions.
“Road and path surfaces will remain challenging throughout the country and I would urge drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to take extra caution if you have to set out on a journey.
“Remember, even where there is no lying snow, icy conditions will prevail and surfaces may look deceptively safe.”
He added: “I would like to thank all those members of the public who have been checking in on vulnerable neighbours during this cold spell.
“If anyone knows a neighbour who is elderly, alone or who has mobility issues, please keep an eye out for them and make sure they are ok.”
Uisce Éireann is warning that weather related bursts on the water network are likely to continue for the coming days as a result of sub-zero temperatures.
The number of people without water today nationally has fallen to approximately 4,500, down from a peak of 40,000 early Monday morning, and it is expected that the majority of those will have their water restored later today.
A spokesperson said: “We would like to thank all those who have supported our efforts to restore normal water supplies including the National Emergency Co-ordination Group, local authorities, the ESB, Civil Defence and other agencies for their support and advice.
Uisce Éireann crews will remain on standby ready to maintain and restore water supplies for customers across the country.
Uisce Éireann’s head of water operations Margaret Attridge advised:
“As some counties experience Arctic conditions, which can impact on our pipe infrastructure, letting us know of breaks on the public network allows us to dispatch our expert crews as early as possible, therefore protecting the levels of water in our reservoirs for the whole country.”
She added: “Conserving water at home and at work can help safeguard water supplies for as many people as possible, especially for our vulnerable customers and essential services such as hospitals and nursing homes.
“We are continuing to ask people to insulate outside taps, exposed pipes and tanks, to check for leaks and to turn off water to exterior pipes or unoccupied premises.
“We are especially asking people never to leave taps running as this will not necessarily prevent pipes from freezing and can impact on local water supply.”
The public can report leaks or bursts on the public water networks to Uisce Éireann’s customer care team on 1800 278 278, and can also sign up to a free text alerts scheme at water.ie.
Founder of Ireland’s Weather Channel and climate scientist at UCC Cathal Nolan told that over the next few days, North Cork will continue to be the worst affected by the cold weather.
“In terms of temperature, the coldest temperatures in the county will certainly be seen in parts of North Cork, the reason being because they’re more inland so lose the influence of the sea which has a major bearing on temperatures.
“Also, most of the lying snow at the moment is in North Cork, and where we have lying snow, that’s where we see the coldest temperatures in place.”
He said tonight will be even colder than last night, explaining: “Tonight in particular the sky will be clear, there was a layer of cloud last night which stopped temperatures getting too low but tonight they could go as low as minus 6 or 7.
“So we will begin to see that thaw setting in, the snow and ice start to melt and temperatures return back to normal for this time of year, maybe even a degree above average at 6 to 9 degrees, so going from well below average to average or even a little above.”
Over the next few days, he said: “There will be no additional snow in Cork, maybe a chance of one or two patches of mist near the South.”
Mr Nolan concluded: “For areas like Rockchapel, Ballydesmond and Charleville, some got 10 to 14 inches of snow, that’s 30 to 38 centimetres which is really an exceptional fall of snow, you wouldn’t see that depth too often in Cork.
City Council advice Cork City Council have advised that in light of the ongoing status orange warnings, people should expect:
-Dangerous travelling conditions for motorists and cyclists on roads due to black ice.
-Footpaths will be treacherous due to icy conditions.
-Disruption to public transport
The council added: “Our severe weather assessment team continues to monitor the situation and is working closely with various agencies to ensure the public’s safety.”
Following an inspection of the Civic Amenity Site this morning, the council confirmed that it was to reopen today from 11am.
Many parts of Cork are without power or water this morning, as the ESB and Uisce Éireann’s websites both show several Cork faults on their live maps.
Power outages can often also affect water supplies, with Uisce Éireann sharing this morning that a power outage may cause supply disruptions to Liscarroll, Buttevant, Dromina, Churchtown, Ballyhea, Freemount and surrounding areas until 5pm today.
Maeve Hourihan of the Cork West Civil Defence told The Echo that they have been on standby for deployment since Saturday in advance of forecast snowfall and low temperatures.
Deployments commenced on Sunday, and volunteers remain on standby in Ballineen, Clonakilty, Rosscarbery, Schull and Skibbereen.
Tasks have included the collection of National Ambulance Service personnel, night nurses, care assistants, hospital staff and members of An Garda Síochána from their homes to bring them to work.
They have transported dialysis patients to hospital for essential medical treatment, and have been prepared to provide 4x4 support to the local Garda Síochána.
Additionally, they have delivered Meals on Wheels to elderly and vulnerable people in remote locations, and have delivered groceries and medication to families who have not been able to leave their homes.
Ms Hourihan added: “Cork West Civil Defence volunteers are highly trained and are prepared to support events such as this.
“All volunteers are qualified in ‘severe weather off-road driving’. In saying this, volunteers all have their own full-time jobs and families. Our volunteers generously give their time as they are committed to supporting their local community and people in need.”
Issues have arisen once again on the Cork to Dublin trains, following ongoing delays yesterday.
Yesterday, Social Democrats Cork East TD Liam Quaide said he took a train in Midleton at 9.45am and didn't get to Dublin until after 4pm. He praised the work of the crews who managed to get issues repaired in challenging weather conditions.
This morning, Iarnrod Eireann shared that the 9.25am Cork to Heuston was held in Portlaoise due to a mechanical issue.
They added at 11.45am that the train would terminate in Portlaoise, adding that the 11.25pm Portlaoise to Heuston was in Portlaoise station and would operate to Heuston shortly.
Update:
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) January 8, 2025
09:25 Cork to Heuston will terminate in Portlaoise.
11:25 Portlaoise to Heuston is now in Portlaoise Station and operate to Heuston shortly.
Update to follow. @TFIupdates
-CL https://t.co/M0oFtJBnez
The UCC Emergency Management Team (EMT) continues to monitor the adverse weather situation throughout the week.
In line with government guidelines and having regard to the safety and wellbeing of those on, and travelling to and from campus, the opening of all UCC campuses is delayed until 11am on both Wednesday and Thursday.
The university advised: “Please contact your line manager regarding your individual circumstances and agree your working arrangements during this period.
“Our priority is the welfare and safety of our colleagues and students. The EMT will continue to monitor the evolving situation closely in the interest of the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff.”
Due to the adverse weather, Cork County Council’s area offices in Kanturk, Newmarket, Charleville and Millstreet will remain closed today. The Dunmanway Area Office will open at 12 noon.
The council added that some library branches may open at a later time, close at an earlier time or remain closed in the coming days, such as Macroom and Carrigaline Libraries which will be closed today.
“Before you travel, first check with your local library, contact library headquarters at 021 454 6499 or email corkcountylibrary@corkcoco.ie,” they advised.
📌 Service Update 📌
— Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) January 8, 2025
📷Due to the adverse weather, our Area Offices in Kanturk, Newmarket, Charleville and Millstreet will remain closed today. Dunmanway Area Office will open at 12noon.
📚Some library branches may open at a later time, close at an earlier time or remain closed… pic.twitter.com/pHJqzVk0tT
Macroom, Raffeen, Rossmore and Youghal civic amenity sites opened at the later time of 11am today, and due to the severity of the weather in North Cork, Kanturk will remain closed.
Castletownbere, Clonakilty and Skibbereen Civic Amenity sites opened as normal at 9am.
Mallow and Fermoy Swimming Pools are open from 10am to 5pm, while Dunmanway Swimming Pool opened at the later time of 11am and will close at 5pm.
Schools around Cork are closed today as the county comes out of an overnight weather warning and prepares for another this evening.
Met Éireann's warning for extremely cold weather with widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow remained in place until 10am.
A further status orange low temperature/ice warning will come into effect for Cork at 6pm tonight until 11am tomorrow morning.
A status yellow warning also remains in place until 12 noon on Friday.
Cork County Council’s severe weather assessment team convened again this morning and has urged all road users to take extreme care if they must travel over the coming days.
They explained: “Conditions remain extremely challenging on many routes in north-west and north Cork where lying snow continues to be an issue.”
Council crews are continuing to treat priority routes, however, due to the low temperatures, widespread icy patches can be expected even on treated roads, they warned.
Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team convened this morning as a Status Orange Low Temperature/Ice warning remains in effect for Cork until 10.00am.
— Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) January 8, 2025
❄️A further Status Orange Low Temperature/Ice warning will come into effect for Cork at 6.00pm tonight until… pic.twitter.com/yD5uIAqVRg
Currently, diversions remain in place westbound on the R585 in West Cork due to icy conditions.
Traffic is advised to divert via the R587 at Shanlaragh to Dunmanway and then via the R586/N71 to Bantry.
The R579 Banteer to Nadd and the Newmarket to Rockchapel roads are now passable with caution.
The council advised: “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’s emergency line remains open on 021 4800048 to report any issues.
Some council services may have varying opening hours or remain closed today, and they are asking people to contact them before travelling, and to keep an eye on the council website and social media channels.
Bus Éireann has advised that all Cork city services are operating as planned, but there are some areas that can’t be served.
Service Update – Adverse Weather Warning
— Bus Éireann (@Buseireann) January 5, 2025
We continue to advise all intending passengers to check the ‘Service Updates’ section of our website, before travelling, for potential service disruptions due to adverse weather.
Latest updates - https://t.co/kZjvdulzCL pic.twitter.com/w6C43Tv5cn
They issued the following list in the early hours of this morning:
Route 214 - Currently not servicing Knockraha
Route 233 - Service will not serve Killmuray
Route 23507.15 ex Rylane -Cork will operate from Tower. Donoughmore, Shournagh Rd not being served. Service will resume from Tower.
Route 237 - 08:25 ex Skibbereen to Baltimore- cancelled. 09:30 ex Baltimore to Skibbereen- cancelled
Route 239 - 239 services will not serve Kilbrogan, Crossbarry, Killeady, Waterfall, Halfway or Culinanes Cross until further notice.
Route 243 - 243 services will not serve Doneraile, Kanturk or Newmarket until further notice. 13:15 Cork to Rathduff will not serve Whitechurch.
Route 245 - 07:30 ex Michelstown to Cork - cancelled.
Route 248 - 248 services suspended until further notice.
Route 257 - All 257 services are suspended until further notice.
Route 270 - Route 270 will operate as normal from Killarney to Kenmare and return. The section of the route from Kenmare to Skibbereen is suspended in both directions until further notice.
Route 272 - 272 service ex Ballybunion to Tralee will no be servicing Ballybunion and Lisselton until further notice. 272 service ex Tralee to Ballybunion will not be servicing Abbeydorney and Lixna until further notice.
Road users have again been asked to avoid unnecessary journeys and to take extreme care if they must travel as widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow persists.
A status orange low temperature and ice warning for Munster is in effect until 10am today with a second status orange low temperature and ice warning coming into effect at 6pm and remaining until 11am tomorrow.
A countrywide status yellow low temperature and ice warning is in effect until noon on Friday.
This morning will be bitterly cold with widespread frost, ice & patches of freezing fog, all of which will persist in some areas all day❄️
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 8, 2025
Most areas dry w/ bright or sunny spells. Some scattered wintry showers in the NW🌨️
Highs of -1 to 4°C📉
Warnings➡️https://t.co/3041XHiRrK pic.twitter.com/m4D491SSfY
During the period of the orange warnings, the public has been advised to expect dangerous travelling conditions on roads and underfoot and travel disruption and delays.
In an update yesterday evening, Cork County Council said its crisis management team had again convened.
The council is appealing to people to avoid unnecessary journeys and is urging all road users to take extreme care if they must travel.
The local authority said it would continue to treat priority routes however, due to the low temperatures, widespread icy patches can be expected even on treated roads.
"If your journey is essential, please slow down, drive with caution, and be aware of other road users. Allow extra time for your journey.
"There may still be underlying snow or ice which would make the road hazardous," the council said.
Non-urgent HSE appointments scheduled for today at Bantry and Mallow general hospitals will not go ahead, and appointments at community facilities in North Cork will also be affected.
While many appointments will go ahead in Cork city hospitals and community settings, the HSE has appealed to patients not to travel unless it is safe to do so.
🚨Service update for Cork 🚨
— Cork Kerry Community Healthcare (@CorkKerryCH) January 7, 2025
Non-urgent appointments @BGHsswhg & @HospitalMallow on Jan 8th will not go ahead. Community appts in #NorthCork are also affected.
Many Cork City appts will still go ahead. Please only travel if safe to do so.
ℹ️https://t.co/Qs76XCDczX pic.twitter.com/MgDpXhseMl
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