Civil Defence Severe Weather Response 28th February – 2nd March 2014

28 February 2014

1. Kerry
The Kerry Auxiliary Fire Service unit deployed 11 volunteer members throughout Friday 28th February. Crews monitored flood water levels in Ballylongford due to the risk posed by the 5.30am high tide. The unit responded to calls from residents in the Ballylongford area for extra sandbags to strengthen the flood defences in the village. The monitoring continued in Ballylongford on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 6.30am high tide. A crew of eight volunteers reported to Ballymullen Barracks on Saturday, filled sandbags and loaded the trucks in preparation for any flooding emergencies.
2. Kilkenny
Kilkenny Civil Defence continued with the task of moving members of the public to and from their homes on the outskirts of the city. An average of four volunteer members, with two Jeeps have been deployed to continue this operation for the foreseeable future. The area is quite small but six families are completely isolated due to flood waters. They include an elderly couple with dementia, an on-call radiologist employed by St Lukes Hospital and a number of children who require transportation to and from school.
Civil Defence Units remain on standby to assist as required. Civil Defence has 4,500 volunteers based in every Local Authority area in the country. Civil Defence has a wide range of equipment to deal with flooding including 88 Boats, 47 Fire Tenders, 9 Floating Pontoon Units and 130 Four Wheel Drive vehicles.

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