Council opens additional homeless services for snowbound Waterford
Additional capacity has been made available at McGwire House on Bath Street in Waterford, where homeless people - both men and women - can present to avail of shelter or to contact them at 051 879 930.
Waterford City and County Council are operating with additional homelessness capacity in light of the snow forecast for Waterford tonight and tomorrow morning.
The council has enacted its Severe Weather Protocol tonight as part of its collaboration with the HSE, Focus Ireland and South East Simon Community. The organisations run a cooperative homelessness service during the colder months to keep in regular contact with any known rough sleepers to advise them of impending weather alerts and freezing temperatures.
Additional capacity has been made available at McGwire House on Bath Street in Waterford, where homeless people - both men and women - can present to avail of shelter or to contact them at 051 879 930.
There are facilities available for women and children who are fleeing domestic violence Oasis House, located at 71 Morrisson's Road, Waterford. They are available to be contacted at 051 370 367.
Given the Met Éireann orange warning for snow and ice, the City and County Council is appealing to the public to contact the Homeless Services Team if they see anyone sleeping rough in Waterford from Thursday, November 21st to midday, Thursday, November 21st, so that they can provide emergency respite for those impacted most by the harsh weather conditions set to hit Waterford.
The Homeless Services Team at Waterford Integrated Homeless Services can be contacted by email at homelessservicesteam@waterfordcouncil.ie or by calling 0818 10 20 20.
Met Éireann has said that "significant snowfall accumulations [are] expected" in Waterford tonight with some flooding possible.
The status orange warning has been added to an existing status yellow low temperatures warning issued on Monday, November 18, by the national forecaster. An orange snow and rain warning is also in place in Waterford and Cork with flooding possible in the area.
Temperatures in the south of the country are predicted to be very cold with lowest temperatures of -4 to 0 degrees in light to moderate easterly or variable winds. Widespread frost and ice will develop.
