Household Storm Readiness
Preparedness is everyone’s responsibility. Are you ready?
Have a household emergency plan and keep enough food, water and other essentials to last for at least 72 hours.
Know you Eircode and your MPRN
• Food – it is important to have extra food at home that can be prepared quickly and can be stored at room temperature.
• Drinking water – have a stock of 3 litres per adult per day.
• Heating – make a plan to keep you and your home warm if the electricity goes out.
• Communication – make sure you can continue to receive important information by having a battery-operated radio & a power bank for your mobile phone.
• Medicines – keep a good stock of any medicines needed and have a small home first aid kit.
• Lighting – have battery operated candles and flashlights.
• Money – keep a small amount of cash in different denominations.
• Transportation – if possible, keep the car fully refuelled.
Refer to Monaghan County Council’s Personal & Community Resilience Booklet
Severe Weather Preparations
Wind/ Storm
- Check for loose items outside your home and plan how you could secure them. Items include bins, garden furniture and trampolines.
- Ensure your home & car is secure from falling debris or downed electricity lines.
- Do not undertake unnecessary journeys.
- If you need to leave home, do you know the best route to take? Have you got a bag packed with supplies and medicine?
- Beware of fallen trees or other debris.
- Stay up to date on weather warnings for your area & be prepared if there is a risk to life in weather warning situations.
- Report incidents to Monaghan County Council phone line 1800 121121
- Refer to Monaghan County Council’s Personal & Community Resilience Booklet
Flooding
- Find out if you live in an area at risk of flooding by speaking to your neighbours
and/ or contact your local Municipal District Office. - Make sure all drains around your property are free from debris i.e. leaves
- Make sure drainage outlets are clear.
- Agricultural land drains to be maintained annually to ensure efficient water storage capacity.
- Make up a flood kit – include a torch, some warm & waterproof clothes, wellies, first aid kit and blankets
- If your area is prone to flooding, have sandbags available nearby.
- Move valuables and other items to safety above the flood level or upstairs, if possible.
- Store valuable documents in a watertight container – passports, birth certificates, insurance policy, etc.
- Switch off gas and electricity supplies if water levels are rising.
- Always stay clear of flood water.
- Never drive through flood water, even shallow water can pose a risk
- Refer to Monaghan County Council’s Personal & Community Resilience Booklet
Power Outage
- If pre-warned ensure phones and devices are fully charged before outage.
- Have a power bank as a back-up and ensure it is charged ahead of time.
- Select low battery mode and avoid video calls or streaming during power outages.
- Have contact numbers for any vulnerable neighbours so you can check on them during and after the outage.
- Avoid the use of candles, have a battery-operated torch/ light/ candle.
- Have an alternative fuel to electric for heating and cooking.
- Precautions for using alternatives to electricity:
– Portable generators can pose fire & carbon monoxide risks. Always operate outdoors, 7m from all buildings, store fuel outside and allow generator to cool before re-fuelling. - If stoves /fireplaces haven’t been in use recently ensure chimneys have been checked and cleared of any blockages prior to use.
- If using a gas hob for cooking, leave windows slightly ajar.
- Use portable gas heating appliances in accordance with manufactures instructions.
- Ensure you have carbon monoxide detector in rooms where appliances are located. In the event of a carbon monoxide alarm activation, follow the advice on Page 6 of this booklet.
- Its important to report a power outage on the ESB’s ‘PowerCheck’ website or call 1800 372 999 – Have your MPRN ready.
- Refer to Monaghan County Council’s Personal & Community Resilience Booklet
Water Outage
- Store an Emergency Water Supply
• Drinking Water: Store at least 3 litres per person per day in food-grade containers. Rotate every 6 months.
• Non-Potable Water: Fill bathtubs, buckets, or large containers for flushing toilets and cleaning.
• Commercial Water Storage: Consider large storage tanks or barrels for long-term use. - Turn off pre-programmed appliances like dishwashers, washing machines or other devices that use water. Do this until the water returns.
- Turn off all the taps in your home. This will help avoid flooding when the water returns.
- Use the water sparingly. Storage tanks last up to 24 hours.
- Prepare for Extended Shortages
- Know Your Local Water Sources: Identify nearby lakes, rivers, or wells.
- Emergency Water Delivery: Research suppliers who can deliver potable water in an emergency.
- Community Resources: Find local water distribution points in case of a crisis.
- Know who your water supplier is: Uisce Éireann, Group Water Schemes or a private well.
- Refer to Monaghan County Council’s Personal & Community Resilience Booklet
Snow/ Ice
- View our ‘Winter Service Plan’
- Clear snow or ice early in the day if possible, wearing visible clothing.
- Spread salt on the areas cleared.
- Never use boiling water to clear snow as it may re-freeze and cause black ice to form
- Black ice on roads increases your stopping distance by ten times.
- Hail is probably the greatest hazard for drivers – even if the road is salted, hail will stay on the road. If you encounter hail, immediately begin to slow your speed but gradually- and try not to brake.
- Community Salt Bin Scheme – Free Salt & Bins for community groups
- Refer to Monaghan County Council’s Personal & Community Resilience Booklet