New emergency centres for Louth as severe weather contingency plans revealed
Louth is set to have at least five designated Community Support Centres to act as emergency hubs during prolonged or severe weather events, power outages, or other local emergencies.
At a recent meeting of Louth County Council, Green Party councillor Marianne Butler said the centres will play an “incredibly important” role as severe weather events become more frequent.
The meeting heard these venues will provide a safe place for people to go if they lose electricity, and need to charge phones or access other supports.
She noted that the council has already ordered three generators for use at Community Support Centres.
Cllr Butler asked whether Louth had followed other councils in seeking Expressions of Interest from local sports clubs or community groups willing to offer their premises as hubs.
“These would be a location for people to go to if their electricity is out, if they need to charge phones, or if they need warmth and comfort during a severe weather event,” she said.
“It would be really beneficial if people knew where the locations are, and the facilities that are available within them.”
Director of Services Joanna Kelly confirmed that the council had invited Expressions of Interest and received five submissions including two in Dundalk, two in the Drogheda area, and one in mid-Louth
Ms Kelly said that while these five locations had expressed interest, the council’s approach would not be limited to these centres alone.
“The intention is not just to focus on these, but communities would also be able to activate their own centres if needed.”
Cllr Butler questioned how three generators would be allocated across five designated centres, asking if the council had a clear strategy for deployment during emergencies.
Ms Kelly said the generators would be distributed based on need during any given event.