National Emergency Coordination Group coordinating response to flooding

Press release

National Emergency Coordination Group coordinating response to flooding

• From: Department of the Taoiseach

• Published on: 5 February 2026
• Last updated on: 5 February 2026

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) and its related Subgroups met again today (Thursday) to continue to coordinate the response to flooding.

The NECG is warning that there is a likelihood of flooding today and tomorrow, with orange rain warnings in place for Dublin, Louth, Waterford, and Wicklow, and yellow rain warnings in place for Carlow, Cavan, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Meath, Monaghan, Tipperary, and Wexford. Today's high spring tides, combined with strong winds and surge, may cause wave overtopping and coastal flooding in exposed areas. High coastal water levels will also impede river discharge, especially at times of high tide.

Significant rainfall is expected in areas already affected by flooding over the last period. The NECG has emphasised that, due to river flows, heavy rain in one county can impact on flood-prone areas in another, even where less significant rain has fallen. The risk of flooding will continue into the weekend as upland flood peaks move down through the catchments.

Coordinated response

Local authorities are monitoring the situation closely and actively responding to the weather conditions and associated flood risks. Crews are active across their areas, responding to incidents and ensuring precautionary and protective measures are in place.

Alongside the local authorities, the Irish Red Cross and Civil Defence are on the ground and ready to support where necessary.

There is a high degree of vigilance right across all sectors, including providers of essential services.

Government supports are available to those who are directly impacted by flooding. Financial supports are available to households, businesses, and voluntary, community, and sporting organisations. Full information is available at gov.ie/FloodResponse.

Advice to the public

The public is urged to be alert for flooding as the situation can change very quickly and even small amounts of rain could result in significant impacts in areas where river levels are high and/or where the ground is already saturated.

Close monitoring of local weather conditions via https://www.met.ie and river and coastal level data https://www.waterlevel.ie is strongly advised.

Where people are threatened by flood waters in their homes or vehicles, they should call 999 / 112 for immediate assistance. Fire Services, the Irish Coast Guard and emergency services are available to respond at all times and where necessary rescue people trapped by flooding.

Those in the impacted counties, who have the discretion to work from home tomorrow, Friday, are urged to do so in order to free up roads for essential services.

People are urged to check their local authority website and social media channels for information on road closures, flooding updates, and community alerts. Local authorities are carrying out assessments on roads that were affected by the flooding and, some roads are being kept closed due to damage. Civil Defence remain on high alert and will set up rest centres if needed.

Allow for disruption when travelling and plan extra travel time. When driving, reduce speed, expect surface water, debris, and poor visibility. Do not bypass 'Road Closed' signs or drive through floodwater; turn back and use another route. Flooding may impact transport services, and the public is advised to check with operators before their journey.

Supports available to those affected by flooding

Local response teams

If you are affected by flooding and in need of help, you should contact your local authority. Out-of-hours emergency numbers are in operation. Contact details are available on local authority websites.

Emergency Response Payment for households

An Emergency Response Payment is available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected by flooding. Community Welfare Officers are active on the ground in affected areas to support the humanitarian response.

Any household affected by severe weather can access this support by contacting the Community Welfare Service on 0818 60 70 80.

Full details of the scheme and how to apply are available at https://www.gov.ie/FloodResponse.

Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme

An Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme is open for small businesses and community, voluntary and sports organisations affected by flooding.

In recognition of the severe impact of flooding on many small businesses and other organisations, the upper limit for payments under the scheme has been increased from €20,000 to €100,000 for the most impacted premises. Eligibility for the Scheme has also been extended to organisations of up to 50 employees.

The Scheme is administered by the Irish Red Cross on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, and full details and application forms are available here.

Helpline for psychological support and information

The Irish Red Cross has set up a helpline to provide support to distressed people affected by flooding. The helpline is available 9am to 6pm daily at 01-6424648. Trained volunteers are available to talk to those who are in distress. The helpline can also signpost and direct callers to information on the financial support schemes available.

Animal Welfare

For animal welfare issues connected with severe weather, farmers are urged to keep in touch with their agricultural advisor or to contact the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's Animal Welfare Helpline [email protected] or phone: 01 607 2379.

Public safety advice

• Monitor Met Éireann forecasts - conditions may change quickly. Visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is also available across the Met Éireann App, social media platforms (@meteireann) and other news media sources.
• Check local authority websites and social media channels for information on road closures, flooding updates, and community alerts.
• Allow for disruption when travelling. Plan extra travel time and reduce speed.
• Expect surface water, debris and poor visibility.
• Do not bypass Road Closed signs - the road ahead is unsafe, the damage may be hidden beneath water, and you may be putting your life at risk.
• Do not drive through floodwater - turn back and use another route.
• Check with Transport Operators when planning journeys.
• Stay back from riverbanks, streams and canals - water levels may rise quickly.
• Keep children and pets away from waterways and flooded areas.
• Keep away from coastal edges, harbours, piers and low-lying promenades during high tide.
• The Irish Coast Guard advice remains: "Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry."
• Check in with neighbours, older people or anyone who may need assistance in case conditions worsen.
• ESB Networks is highlighting the dangers posed by fallen live wires and is advising the public and the emergency services to stay away from these fallen cables and to report such cases to it immediately. ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor www.PowerCheck.ie. in regards to power restoration times.
• Uisce Éireann customers can check the website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via their 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. The public can also sign up online to their free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies - see www.water.ie.

Up to date information on the emergency response is available at https://www.gov.ie/FloodResponse.

ENDS

Additional information on the Emergency Response Payment

The Emergency Response Payment (formerly the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme) is available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected by flooding.

The scheme is open in Carlow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Louth, Monaghan, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow following severe weather conditions.

The Emergency Response Payment prevents hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are unable to meet emergency costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair.

The scheme does not provide a general compensation payment for damage or losses incurred as a consequence of a weather event, nor does it cover damage or losses that are insured under home insurance policies or would reasonably be expected to have been covered by an insurance policy. It is available as a support for households which experience unanticipated and exceptional costs in the immediate aftermath of an extreme weather event. The Emergency Response Payment does not cover commercial, agricultural, or business losses.

In administering the Emergency Response Payment and dealing with emergency events, the Department of Social Protection generally adopts a three-stage approach as follows:

• Stage 1 of the scheme is to address hardship in the immediate aftermath of emergency events and provides emergency support payments to cover immediate and essential costs such as the purchase of food, clothing, bedding and essential personal items for immediate use and is not income tested. This support will be available until Wednesday, 11th February 2026. It does not cover the purchase of replacement food or other items. - See stage 2.
• Stage 2 involves the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items where there is a valid reason why these were not covered by insurance and where the person can demonstrate that it is essential that the items are replaced and that they do not have the financial resources to cover these costs themselves.
• Stage 3 covers costs of essential structural repairs to a person's primary residence where the person does not have the resources to cover the costs involved. The type of repairs includes plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting. These costs are only covered if they are essential, result directly from damage caused by the emergency event, and there are valid reasons as to why household insurance was not in place. All costs are subject to expert assessment by a loss adjuster.

While Stage 1 is not income tested, income testing does apply to Stages 2 and 3 of the scheme. However, it is important to note that the income test for the Emergency Response Payment is more generous than that applied under means-tested social welfare payments in general.

Reduced or tapered level of support may be provided in cases where a household's income is above the limits. The basic principle of the income test is that individuals and families with average levels of income will qualify for assistance, which includes non-Social Welfare recipients.

The scheme does not cover:

• commercial, agricultural, or business losses.
• losses covered by an insurance policy or which could reasonably be expected to have been covered by an insurance policy.
• loss of items deemed to be inessential or luxury items.
• structural loss or damage to rented accommodation.
• any additional properties that are not occupied and lived in as the primary residence.
• repair or replacement of motor vehicles.

Levels of payment under the scheme depend on the relative severity of damage experienced and the household's ability to meet these costs from their own resources. This ensures that the funding is appropriately targeted.

Any household affected by severe weather can access this support by contacting the Community Welfare Service on 0818 60 70 80.

Further information on the Emergency Response Payment is available at https://www.gov.ie/erp.

Additional information on the Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme for Businesses, Community, Voluntary and Sports Organisations

The Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme for small businesses and community, voluntary and sports organisations that have suffered flood-damage is administered by the Irish Red Cross on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.

The scheme provides support to small businesses and community, voluntary and sports organisations who, through no fault of their own, have been unable to obtain flood insurance.

It provides a contribution towards the costs of returning a premises to its pre-flood condition. This can include replacing flooring, fixtures and fittings, and damaged stock if relevant. The scheme is specifically targeted to help small businesses and community, voluntary and sports organisations, and has two payment stages:

1. The first stage will provide a contribution of up to €5,000, depending on the scale of the damages incurred, with a focus on getting funding to the small business/organisation as quickly as possible.
2. If a premises has incurred significant damages above €5,000, businesses and community, voluntary, and sports organisations may apply for additional financial support. The total level of support available across the two stages is €100,000. In this case, a Building Assessment will be organised through the Irish Red Cross.

Eligibility for the Scheme has been extended to organisations of up to 50 employees.

More information and application forms for support are available here.

ENDS