Roads to remain dangerous 'for days'

With status yellow ice warnings locked in place until at least Thursday, Cork motorists are being urged to take extreme caution on the roads following yesterday’s heavy snowfall.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) warned that although weather warnings have been lowered, roads in many areas will remain treacherous for days due to a dangerous combination of rain, sleet, snow, ice, and extremely low temperatures.

Many routes in north-west Cork remain impassable after more than 30cm of snow fell in places.

Cork County Council’s Crisis Management Team convened this morning to assess road and weather conditions overnight.

A Status Yellow Low Temperature/Ice warning remains in place throughout this week until 12 midday on Thursday 9 January.

Significant snow fall in north-west, north and mid Cork has lead to treacherous driving conditions with widespread icy conditions throughout the county. The council is advising the public not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary.

The majority of priority routes were treated overnight and early this morning however conditions remain dangerous due to snow and ice. In some cases where road surfaces have been treated, further rainfall and freezing conditions will limit the effectiveness of salting already undertaken (rainfall can wash salt off the road and, combined with low road surface temperatures, allows ice to form).

Cork County Council is asking people to avoid the N20 Charleville to facilitate ploughing and gritting operations. Two ploughs are now operating on the route.

A snow plough is working on the Newmarket to Rockchapel road with only a single lane cleared in places due to snow accumulations. The Banteer to Nadd road remains closed due to fallen trees.

The regional Newtown to Bog Cross road in Dromina is impassable because of compacted snow.

Conditions are very poor on the R582 Macroom to Millstreet and R619 Coachford to Donoghmore roads, Council ploughs and salters are on site.

There are also reports of ice on N71 at the Viaduct with salting ongoing.

Cork County Fire Service responded to 41 calls since 9am on Sunday morning, most of which were weather related incidents.

Council crews will be focusing on treating town centres and footpaths this morning, particularly in North Cork.

Pedestrians are advised to take extra care. Where snow has fallen, or where there is a risk of lingering ice, do not venture out unless it is absolutely necessary. Be aware of the fact that greenways, cycleways and other public amenities will likely not have been treated.

Meanwhile, Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) has confirmed that maternity appointments scheduled for today will proceed, however, gynaecology appointments at both CUMH and the Lee Clinic are cancelled and will be rescheduled.

Patients awaiting urgent gynaecology appointments will be contacted directly by the hospital. Anyone unable to attend should contact CUMH at 021-4920500.

HSE South West has advised that all non-urgent appointments such as outpatient appointments and other clinical appointments in Cork HSE services are cancelled for today.

This means that today, Monday, all non-urgent appointments at CUH; South Infirmary Victoria Hospital; Mercy University Hospital; Bantry Hospital; and Mallow Hospital will not go ahead.

HSE South West Regional Executive Officer Dr Andy Phillips said: “This decision has been made to ensure safety of both patients and staff. HSE staff are prioritising service delivery for vulnerable patients and those with acute care needs. Staff are making transport arrangements for patients to get to vital appointments such as dialysis and urgent cancer care appointments.”

Services

As of yesterday evening, more than 50,000 homes, farms and businesses were without power, predominantly in counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois, and Wicklow.

ESB said it expects power restoration will take a number of days in areas that are worst affected due to the hazardous weather conditions and accessibility challenges. Real-time information on power outages and restoration times is available on powercheck.ie.

Meanwhile, Uisce Éireann said it is working to restore water supply as quickly as possible to impacted customers in Baltimore and surrounding areas in county Cork.

The areas affected include Baltimore, Sherkin Island, Heir Island, Derryconnell, Schull, and surrounding areas.

Expert water service crews have been dispatched and are carrying out the required repair works, with every effort being made to complete this work as quickly as possible, Uisce Éireann confirmed.

The repair works are expected to be completed sometime morning, depending on weather conditions.

Real-time local information about water service and supply issues can be found on water.ie.

Transport

It has also been reported that a number of Bus Éireann services have been cancelled for today including the Cork/Waterford, Cork/Clonmel, and Cork/Fermoy services.

Iarnród Éireann confirmed the 7.45am Midleton/Cork train service has been cancelled due to dangerous weather conditions.

Elsewhere, it is understood the Cork Airport main runway has reopened having been closed yesterday evening resulting in a number of flights being diverted to Dublin.