| Situation Update No. 4 Ref.no.: SS-20100106-24448-GBR
Situation Update No. 4
On 2010-01-07 at 11:05:10 [UTC]
Event: Snow Storm
Location: United Kingdom Statewide Situation: Dumfries and Galloway Council has activated its emergency plans for the first time since the foot-and-mouth crisis nine years ago. The decision to bring the scheme into operation was taken on Wednesday as ice and snow hit the region. The plan brings emergency and welfare services under one roof at a special "bunker" at council headquarters. Many services have been put under pressure as a result of heavy snowfalls and temperatures as low as -14.7C. There was no snow overnight but ice remained a problem on all routes and motorists were being urged to drive with extreme caution. The only reported road closure was the A701 north of Moffat where efforts were being made to clear the route of snow. Ch Con Pat Shearer, who chairs the emergency group, said key services were coping so far but "significant efforts" were needed to ensure that remained the case. He said: "Indications are that that the severe weather is likely to continue for several days. "Salt supplies continue to be the major issue affecting forward planning for the severe weather and this is again being raised with the Scottish Government by the council. "To date, 10,000 tonnes of rock salt have been spread on local roads." Mr Shearer also paid tribute to the "resilience" of local communities across the region which had been a "great help" to public services. |  |
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