Galway County Council has launched a new Storm Preparation Guide as part of its preparations for severe weather this coming winter season, with a network of 70 Community Support Centres available across the county to support communities during major emergencies.
The guide is designed to help households prepare for issues including prolonged electricity outages, travel disruption and interruptions to water and other essential services. It also sets out the supports available to people when severe weather causes significant disruption.
The County-Wide Community Support Centre Network was established in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn and provides a structure through which the local authority can work with local communities when people are affected by major weather events.
Each centre has a large, heated space for people to gather, seating, kitchen facilities for providing basic refreshments, toilets, first aid equipment, Wi-Fi, device-charging facilities and a private room or additional space where required. Many centres also provide additional facilities such as showers, car parking, generators and accessible facilities.
Printed copies of the Storm Preparation Guide, available in English, Irish and Ukrainian, are available at all 29 public library branches across Galway, the five Municipal District offices and Áras an Chontae. The guide is also available at www.galway.ie.
Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Andrew Reddington, said the guide was designed to help people prepare for severe weather and know where to turn for support.
“Preparation is key when facing a major weather event. This guide provides practical advice on preparing for power outages, travel disruption and other impacts, while also highlighting the supports available to people and communities. Taking a few simple steps in advance can make a significant difference when severe weather strikes.”
Galway County Council Chief Executive, Liam Conneally, said Galway County Council had an important role to play with emergency services, community groups and other organisations in preparing for future weather emergencies.
“I would urge households and businesses across the County to visit www.galway.ie and familiarise themselves with the key information in the Storm Preparation Guide, as well as the range of supports and services available during emergency situations.
“Being prepared in advance can make a significant difference when severe weather affects communities and essential services.”
Galway County Council Director of Services, Michael Owens, said households can take a number of simple steps to prepare for severe weather.
“People should monitor weather warnings, charge phones and power banks, have torches and a battery-powered radio available, secure outdoor items and check gutters and drains. We also encourage people to follow emergency advice, avoid unnecessary travel and prioritise their safety.”
“I would also encourage people to register for the Council’s free MapAlerter service, which provides important alerts during severe weather and can be particularly valuable for people living in isolated areas, older people and those living alone.”
Community Support Centre Coordinator, Theresa Donohue, said the County-Wide Community Support Centre Network would play an important role in supporting communities during severe weather events.
“There were a lot of learnings from Storm Éowyn about how the local authority and communities can work together to better safeguard the safety and welfare of the public during weather emergencies.”
“Our community support centre network is an important part of that approach and provides a structure through which communities can support people when there is significant disruption.”
Meanwhile, Galway County Council is responsible for winter treatment of around 1,300km of roads across the county, about half of which are Priority 1 and 2 routes, including strategic and mainly national roads.
Priority 1 and 2 routes are treated whenever frost is forecast, while Priority 3 routes, primarily regional roads, are treated during more severe weather. The Council aims to have morning treatments completed by 8 am.
The Council says it has indoor storage capacity for around 3,600 tonnes of salt, with stocks replenished as required throughout the winter.
For more information on the Storm Preparation Guide, visit www.galway.ie or email communitysupportcentres@galwaycoco.ie.
