Brrrr!

I don’t want to scare monger but it’s time to prepare for an extreme weather event at some stage this week. The initial forecasts are for Tuesday but if we get extreme cold and snow it amy be some time before it thaws. Current accurate weather models predict conditions for 5 days. It may well be the case that much of next week will be extremely cold.

You should take this seriously. Wexford seems to suffer from snow when it comes in off the Irish Sea. And that’s the direction that this weather system is approaching Ireland. The Met Eireann series of colour coded warnings will be in operation.

A few bits of advice.

∙             Make sure you’ve enough fuel or oil. Briquettes are as rare already as hens teeth around Wexford. Wood blocks or coal is still available. If you have a neighbour who lives on their own, check in with them.

∙        Footpaths will be treacherous. You can use ash from the fire as grit. Household salt will also do the job.    Some of the German discounters often stock de-icing equipment.

∙             Transport will be impacted by snow. Don’t use your car. In the event of a red warning for Wexford there will be no school buses so schools will close.  Rail services may well be affected by frozen points.

∙             If you see a pond or lake with frozen ice, don’t walk on to it presuming that it will support your weight.

∙             Unlike the storm in October, experience with snow events show that it is only after the event that injuries occur.

Some good news.

Snow rarely impacts on power or telephone lines. The county council has a plan in place to clear the main footpaths in the event of extreme snow. 6 gritters were bought in 2011 to keep Wexford town’s pavements free of ice. It should not be like 2010-11 when people were stuck in their houses for days. It should be possible to move around much sooner after the all clear is given. 

Some things you can do! Listen to South East Radio or follow the Wexford People online.  Check out the Wexford County Council web page and sign on for mapalert free texts to your phone. Check the Met Eireann website. Heed the warnings they issue. A red alert means that you should stay indoors

Useful Telephone numbers.

Wexford County Council 1890 666 777   ESB networks           

1850 372 999

If you own a vacant property, it may well be prone to leaks after the thaw.  Leaks will cause a drop in water pressure as the thaw sets in.

I’ll update my blog, twitter feed and facebook page in the event of predictions coming to pass.

Not trying to rattle anyone, just it’s a case of forewarned being forearmed! Stay safe