Emergency Preparedness in Ireland
Ireland's main emergencies are weather-driven: Atlantic storms, flooding and, less often, snow and ice that cut power and water to large areas. It does not yet have an alert that sounds on every mobile phone; the government has approved one, due in 2027. This page explains how the system works today for residents, students, workers and visitors.
Emergency numbers
- 112 or 999 Gardaí (police), ambulance, fire, coast guard and mountain rescue
How you will be warned
- Met Éireann weather warnings in three colours: yellow, orange and red. A red warning means take action to protect yourself and your property.
- Radio and television, above all RTÉ, and official social media accounts.
- Text message alerts exist since 2023, but the government itself describes them as of limited effectiveness.
- Cell broadcast, an alert that sounds on every phone in an area, is planned for 2027.
- There is no national network of warning sirens.
Until cell broadcast arrives, the best protection is to follow Met Éireann warnings yourself and keep a battery radio.
What to have at home
Ireland has no single national checklist with a fixed number of days. The reference is the European Union's recommendation of at least 72 hours, and the government's severe weather advice:
- Drinking water and food that keeps and needs no cooking
- A torch, spare batteries, a battery radio and a charged power bank
- Your regular medicines and a first aid kit
- Warm clothing and blankets, and fuel if you have a stove
- Some cash and important numbers on paper
Work out the amounts with our kit calculator and see the 72-hour kit on a budget.
Main risks to prepare for
- Storms and floods
- Power cuts and water outages
- Snow, ice and cold
- Cyber attacks, as in the attack on the health service in 2021
Official information
See emergency preparedness in other European countries.
Sources
- Emergency Services Ireland: Ireland to get cell broadcast public warning system in 2027
- Gov.ie: government approves procurement of cell broadcast public warning system
Independent educational summary, not an official publication. Always follow instructions from Irish authorities. Last reviewed: November 2026.