National Status Red Weather Warning In Place

Ennistymon 01/03/18 - Photo By John Underhill

Visibility will be almost non existent with wind chill factors of minus 15 in today’s blizzard.

A nationwide red warning is in place as Ireland braces itself for the worst weather in 36 years.

Storm Emma is expected to take hold at around 4 o’clock with people being advised not to go outside from then until 3 o’clock tomorrow afternoon.

CONTINUE READING BELOW

Gardaí are urging motorists to stay off the roads if at all possible and to drive with extreme care if you have to head out on the roads.

There have been a number of minor crashes across the county this morning and most roads have been covered in snow.

It’s hoped conditions will allow the 700km of roads in Clare to be gritted from this afternoon.

The Local Authority is carrying out its usual early morning salting today but as the Red Weather Alert takes hold in the afternoon, they’ll be aiming to cease operations.

Senior Engineer with Clare County Council Tom Tiernan says until then, people need to keep themselves safe:

Public transport is expected to come to a standstill today.

Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus have cancelled all services.

Irish Rail intends to operate services until lunchtime, and this includes the bus transfers due to the existing flooding at Ballycar.

Shannon Airport is operational this morning – five planes diverted from Cork last night but no further diversions are expected today.

All Clarecare offices will close from 1 o’clock this afternoon and will re-open on Monday. The organisation’s 500 staff are being urged not to embark on any unnecessary journeys.

St Francis’ Credit Unions will be closed all day today for the safety of members and staff.

There will be limited opening hours tomorrow from 2pm to 6pm in some offices. Further updates will be available on the St Francis Credit Union website and facebook page.

Elective surgery and outpatient appointments have been cancelled in the majority of cases across UL Hospitals Group, including in Ennis and Limerick, for today and tomorrow.

ShannonDoc will also be operating a scaled back service on account of the weather and they’re asking people to contact them by phone in the first instance on 1850 212 999.

Meanwhile, all HSE dental clinics in Clare will also be closed until Monday.