Heatwave causes fires, water cuts and extreme ice cream sales

With the heat wave that the country has experienced in the last week or so, NewsWire has a round up of some of the stories that developed from the warm weather around our county.

(Left:Warning in Local Paper)

Tuesday was by far the hottest day of the Heat wave and that brought temperatures tipping the 30 centigrade mark during the day.

This made it hotter than some Mediterranean cities. And people began reminiscing about the 1995 summer which was very similar.

In the early part of the week, people started to notice grass turning yellow and big cracks appearing in the earth in their gardens. So inevitably, fires started. And boy did they.

We heard of gorse, ditch and forest fires raging in Athea, Kilcornan, Rathkeale, Knocknagoshel, Ballyhahil, Abbeyfeale to name a few. The county fire brigade really had their hands full Monday Tuesday and Wednesday.

Clare fire service also had to deal with similar fires in Shannon and quite a large one in Miltown malbay.

Sales of Ice cream in the city went through the roof with one city centre shop seeing a %150 rise in sales. An air conditioning company has told the Limerick leader this weekend that they are unable to cope with demand at present.

Now as the Heat wave seems to be dissipating (for now), Limerick County council have warned people that they might have to cut water supplies during off peak times as it tries to maintain water levels in reservoirs.

Yes you’re reading it right, after only a week or so of warm weather, Limerick County council has gone into crisis mode in relation to the water supply around the county. The council said this week,

We are experiencing pressure problems in some areas but we are coping. People are using extra water for outdoor activities when they come home from work like in the garden and for washing cars.

On Wednesday parts of the suburbs experienced water cuts due to lack of pressure. Raheen and Dooradoyle were worst affected. Water was gone in some places for about 12 hours.

The message: Use water sparingly. Imagine the situation we would be in if we had a real summer like this week but it lasted throughout June July and August?

But rain is on the way, the grass will be saved. But it will stay warm.