Despite the fact that all the priority roads have been gritted twice in the past 24 hours, travelling conditions throughout the county are still treacherous as the big freeze tightens its grip on Kerry.
Lethal patches of black ice are proving to be very hazardous on many roads.
Kerry County Council crews gritted priority routes at 4.00pm yesterday and again at 4.00am today but temperatures are still exceptionally low and are expected to plummet as low as minus eight tonight.
While main roads have been salted, local roads are still highly dangerous and motorists have been advised to exercise great care.
Although footpaths in the main towns have been salted or de-iced, they remain very slippery and slushy in most areas.
The main routes between Killarney and Cork at the county bounds and the main Killarney-Tralee Road are said to be drivable but local roads remain compromised so people have been asked not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary.
Temperatures are still below zero today and a further Status Orange warning will come into force at 6.00pm this evening until 10.00am on Thursday with freezing fog and frost expected to pose hazards for motorists and vulnerable road users.
During the Status Orange warning, Kerry County Council will be operating its severe weather helpline on 066-718 3588.
The local authority has renewed its appeal for people to be extra cautious and prepared if using the road as visibility and mobility will be compromised.
Kerry County Council’s Road Safety Officer, Declan Keogh, said: “Where possible, motorists should remain on treated routes and only make journeys which are necessary”.
As Dublin has not seen any real snow, some commentators in the capital are insisting that the weather warning was unnecessary but they are probably not aware of the crisis situation in many rural areas, including Kerry, were several homes have been without power and water since Sunday and most hospital appointments have been cancelled.
Despite the repeated public warnings issued by Met Éireann, local authorities, emergency services and Gardai, Aontú leader, Peadar Tóibín, for example, took to social media today to describe the decision to issue a Status Orange warning for a temperature of minus five as “crazy”.
“I know that Irish people love talking about the weather. People should take care on the roads and mind older friends and family but this is not abnormal winter weather,” the Meath East TD added.
For the past five days in Kerry, however, the situation is certainly far from normal as the Civil Defence, Kerry Mountain Rescue, Order of Malta and the Red Cross have been called in to rescue stranded motorists from their vehicles, to help bring staff and patients to and from healthcare facilities, to rescue families stranded on high ground and to deliver essential goods, such as medicines and food, to people’s homes.
There is also growing concern that when the big thaw commences at the weekend, it could lead to serious flooding in many parts of the county and the emergency services are preparing sand bags, water vessels and drones to be ready in the event of need.
In Newcastle West, meanwhile, Gardai have advised the public to “avoid travel entirely”.
The vast majority of the public have heeded the advise to stay at home but, for many, there have no options but to take to the road to get to and from work or to keep urgent appointments or to check on family members and properties.
There have been several falls reported – mainly on footpaths – and pressure continues to mount at the emergency department of University Hospital Kerry which was already experiencing difficulties due to an outbreak of influenza, Covid and RSV.
Meanwhile, grit stocks have been replenished at the following locations around the county:
Image source: Kerry County Council
Killarney Municipal District
- Former Pretty Polly factory
- Shrone Church
- Ballyhar Church
- Tangney’s Cross, Kilcummin
- Rathmore Creamery
- Glounonea Grotto
- Artigallivan – near Knockanes School
- Listry GAA field
- Barleymount lay-by – near Killeen House Hotel
Killorglin Municipal District
- Killorglin – council compound, Cromane Cross
- Killorglin – Annadale Road car park
- Churchtown Burial Ground carp ark
- Milltown GAA grounds
- Castlemaine Pier
- Ballyfinnane – parking area at River Maine Bridge
- Cromane Burial Ground
- Glencar – Acoose Lake Quarry
- Gap of Dunloe car park
- Glenbeigh Greenway car park
Kenmare Municipal District
- Kenmare – PierRoad
- Sneem –Ouriegh Road junction
- Kilgarvan– bottle banks
- Between Bonane Church and Bonane NS
- Lauragh Church
- Direendaragh Church
- Templenoe Church
Castleisland Municipal District
- Knocknaboul Cross, Ballydesmond
- Glountane Bridge, Cordal
- Cahereens, Castleisland
- Quarry Cross, Gneeveguilla
- Glounsharoon, Castleisland
Dingle Municipal District
- Ballinvownig Depot
- Ventry Beach car park
- Fheothanach near the Cuinne Pub
- Ballyferriter Cross
- Lispole Church
- Dunquin – across from Kruger’s Pub
- Camp – The Junction Bar
- Inch Church car park
- Boolteens Church car park
- Keel – The Painted Wall Keel
- Stradbally Creamery
- Kilmore Cross
- Castlegregory Primary School
Caherciveen Municipal District
- Cahersiveen – Castlequin car park
- Killeenleigh National School
- Waterville N70 Inny Bridge
- Caherdaniel car park at Lambs Head junction
- Castlecove Church car park
- Ballinskelligs GAA field
- Portmagee GAA field
- Knightstown Playground
- Gortnaforia, Kells
- Foilmore GAA pitch
Listowel Municipal District
- Abbeydorney GAA grounds
- Ballyduff Church Car park
- Causeway GAA grounds
- Lixnaw Community Centre
- Kilflynn – near Parker’s Bar
- Ballybunion Fire Station
- Kilmoyley Church Yard
- Ballyheigue Communiy Centre
- Neo Data, Listowel Town
- Listowel Fire Station
- Ahavoher Cemetry, Moyvane
- Lisselton – near Tomaisin’s bar
- Asdee – near bottle banks
- Tarbert – on the Glin Road near Sensory Garden
- Ballylongford – at Reilig Mhichíl Cemetery
- Moyvane GAA grounds
- Duagh Community Centre
- Finuge by GAA grounds
- Mountcoal – St Senan’s GAA club
Tralee Municipal District
- Matt Talbot car park
- Muing/Oakpark Road Junction
- Castlemorris Terrace
- Aquadome car park.
- Shanakill
- Rahoonane
- Caherina Cross
- Rathass Burial Ground (Ballinorig side)
- The Mart
- Spa Road
- Leith Cross
- Tonevane Cross
- Derrymore, Camp
- Ardfert Graveyard
- Fenit Village
- Spa – Tankard Bar
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