14 families have been evacuated from the Castleconnell, Montpelier and Mountshannon Road (Annacotty) areas of the County. The Council anticipates that up to a dozen more families will be evacuated in the coming hours.
All customers in flood prone areas along the Lower River Shannon downstream from Montpelier to Limerick City have been issued with a severe flood warning. The local authority is in regular contact with approximately 100 households in the Castleconnell, Montpelier and Mountshannon Road (Annacotty) areas.
The Council said it did not expect water levels to rise significantly further this evening or overnight.
Customers in flood prone areas from Montpelier downstream to Limerick City are advised to familiarise themselves with evacuation procedures, as outlined on www.flooding.ie, and health advice, as outlined on www.hse.ie’.
The actions that can be undertaken immediately prior to a flood to reduce damages and protect you and your family include:
Advance Preparations:
• Be prepared to evacuate your home or business. Protect yourself, your family and others that need your help.
• Have warm clothing and wellingtons ready.
• Have medication to hand (if needed).
• Put sandbags at any openings where the water could gain access.
• Move your car to high ground if possible.
• Have your mobile phone charged
• Listen to all public alerts issued by the Local Authority or emergency services
Actions to take if being evacuated:
• Turn off gas and electricity.
• Disconnect cookers, washing machines, dishwashers, etc., connected by rigid pipes to prevent damaging the machine and the pipes.
• Store any electrical items upstairs or above flood level.
• Co-operate with emergency services and local authorities. You may be evacuated to emergency centres.
Close off the flow valves on propane tanks, oil drums, or other fuel containers that supply your home through pipes and fittings.
• Move valuables and other items to safety. Place them above the flood level or upstairs. (It may be preferable to routinely store such items safely upstairs or on high shelves).
• Roll up carpets and rugs and place them out of harms way.
• Empty furniture that cannot be moved and put the contents upstairs.
• Raise furniture that cannot be moved elsewhere on bricks or blocks. Move these pieces away from walls to assist the drying later. If pieces are too difficult to lift weigh them down with a heavy object to prevent them floating and causing damage to windows, etc.
• Remove curtains if there is time, if not tie them over the curtain rail.
• Remove cabinet doors and internal doors if time allows, if not leave them open.
• Unplug any exterior electrical connections such as outdoor lighting, pond pumps and filters.
-ENDS-
Note To Editor:
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Dunphy Public Relations
Connolly, Ennis, Co Clare, IRELAND
(Tel) 00353-868534900;
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