An ORANGE status weather warning remains in place for County Laois.
Motorway and National routes are being treated and drivers should continue to take extreme care. Certain other routes in the County are impassable and conditions on all other routes remain hazardous. Council ploughing / salting /gritting operations commenced at 6am this morning on priority 1 routes and the focus is now on priority 2 routes. All Laois County Council outdoors crews are deployed at present, working at town centre locations and on county and local roads. Laois County Council have also engaged the support of 30 contractors to support us in our efforts to unblock as many local and county roads as possible and support the emergency services in reaching locations where incidents are arising.
The Council is also monitoring river levels which are currently low and this situation will be kept under review.
Please be advised if you require the assistance of the emergency services please dial 999. The local number for the Severe Weather Communication Centre is 1890837273. Emergency shelter is available on request.
We would ask the public to check https://www.winterready.ie/en for information and advice on how to deal with potential adverse weather conditions affecting homeowners, businesses, farming community etc. Please also check on the elderly and isolated neighbours and friends and ensure they have adequate stocks of food and fuel.