During severe weather it is vital to listen to the media for the most up to date information and advice as the information on this page will help to guide you in what steps you may need to take to overcome any problems in relation to specific weather events.

During severe weather events, the Council will post regular updates and advice on its website.  These updates will be available from the homepage of the website and also on this page.  

Twitter

In addition to alerts on its website, the Council will issue updates on its twitter account @westmeathcoco.  Follow Westmeath County Council on Twitter to receive the most up to date local information. 

http://twitter.com/westmeathcoco

Free Text Alerts Service

For the past number of years, the Council has had a free text alert service in place.  You are invited to subscribe to our SMS News Alerts so that you can get the Council's latest updates sent directly to your mobile phone.

In order to subscribe to the service, simply text either the word MULLINGAR or ATHLONE to 50124.  Once you’ve subscribed you will automatically receive text alerts to your phone in respect of service outages, road closures, weather events.

Subscribing to MULLINGAR covers alerts for the Mullingar Municipal District. 

Subscribing to ATHLONE covers alerts for the Athlone Municipal District.

Be Winter Ready

The Be Winter Ready website will assist households in preparing for severe weather and coping with it when it actually happens.

Visit the Winter Ready website here winterready.ie

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Emergency Response Plans

Please follow the link below to view or download the Council's emergency response plans:-

Emergency response plans.

Humanitarian Assistance Scheme

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, which is means tested, is available to assist all people whose homes are damaged by flooding and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair. Assistance can be provided to non-Social Welfare recipients and even persons on higher income may be eligible to receive some support under the scheme.  Details of the scheme are available HERE .

Support for the Farming Community

Animal Welfare
Helpline: Callsave: 0761 064408 or 01 607 2379
The Department’s Animal Welfare Helpline is operational for farmers in need of emergency support where there is potential for animal welfare issues e.g. the provision of emergency fodder

Temporary Movement of Livestock
The Department has relaxed a number of the rules around the movement of animals where the welfare of lives of animals is threatened. Herd Owners should contact the Animal Welfare helpline or their local Veterinary office for further details.

Flooded Slurry tanks
The Department has put in place special arrangements in the event of flooding of slurry tanks in severely flooded areas. Farmers should contact their local Department office for guidance.

Teagasc advisory Helpline: Call save 0761 113555
Farmers impacted by flooding are also advised to keep in touch with their Teagasc Adviser for advice.

Fodder Aid Scheme
This new scheme will provide support for uninsured loss of silage, hay, straw and concen-trates. Queries in relation to the Scheme can be directed to:
The Direct Payments Unit (Fodder Aid Section), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
Phone No. Callsave 0761 064426

Support for Small Business, Community, Voluntary and Sporting Bodies

If your business or organisation has been unable to obtain flood insurance, a humanitarian support contribution to cover uninsured flood damage to buildings, contents or equipment may be available, subject to terms and conditions.
Two temporary government support schemes are being administered by the Irish Red Cross

• Small Business (less than 20 employees, and trading in a rateable premises)
• Community, Voluntary and Sporting Bodies

An immediate payment of €5,000 may be made. Where there is significant damage over €5,000, a further payment up to a cap of €20,000 per property may be made after a detailed assessment.
Email the Red Cross at emergencyflooding2015@redcross.ie or call 01-6424600

Details of the schemes, including a downloadable application form can be found HERE .