LIVE: Beast from the East hits Dundalk

18.40pm

Right, that's your lot folks. It's cold outside, and there are wolves. Plus, there's a warm fire calling... Stick with www.dundalkdemocrat.ie and our Facebook and Twitter feeds throughout the evening for any further updates.

As Jerry Springer (think he was from Pearse Park originally) used to say - 'Take care of yourself, and each other'

18.33pm

PayPal will be closed in Dundalk tomorrow... As I'm sure pretty much everywhere else will be

18.30pm

No hair cutting in Peter Mark in The Marshes tomorrow:

“In the interests of the safety of our clients and our teams, all Peter Mark salons will be closed tomorrow 2nd March due to the adverse weather conditions. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide a further update on whether our salons will open on Saturday 3rd March . We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Further updates will be posted to our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/petermarkhair”

18.13pm

Sill no major sign of the blizzard yet, so with that it's time for the spuds... 

17.52pm

He's still right you know?

17.50pm

Poor divil.. Send food!

Any takeaways in town open? Mad for a munch.... #Dundalk

— Dylan Quigley (@squigs97) March 1, 2018

17.39pm

Fierce snowy out in Ballapousta, hey...

17.36pm

Great work being done by so many emergency services locally...

Louth County Council Emergency Planning tasked IRCG Greenore to support HSE personnel in storm affected areas in the Cooley Peninsula. These volunteers are so often taken for granted and they tirelessly support our local communities when needed. pic.twitter.com/8LhvZ9vX5y

— Carlingford (@CarlingfordIRE) March 1, 2018

17.31pm

First electricity outage of the storm has been reported...

@ESBNetworks supply down in Knockbridge. Take precautions now and get the phones charged and batteries for the torches. @EdelCorriganLCC @TOTTDundalk @louthcoco @tomassharkey @DundalkDemocrat

— Cllr Antóin Watters (@cllrawatters) March 1, 2018

17.14pm

Dundalk was a ghost town this afternoon... Spooky photos from Paddy Malone

Back to the future. Half day was traditionally Thursday until the Shopping Centre. This is 2.30 this afternoon #snachta pic.twitter.com/FRvXRnkEc0

— Paddy Malone (@paddywmalone) March 1, 2018

16.40pm

Some genuinely good folk out there today..

During this weather front approaching.
Meridian Security will be working in the immediate Ardee area. If anybody has any concerns for elderly people that they can't get to,
give us a call on 0879494684 & we'll try our best to check in on them.
This service will not be charged

— Meridian Security Lt (@MeridianSecurit) March 1, 2018

16.34pm

That man/woman in the know 'Louth Weather' has stated that it will probably be later tonight before Louth gets hit with the worst of it...

16.23pm

Local TD Declan Breathnach issued a press release just now calling for RTE to re-establish a North-east correspondent...

"Louth was under snow before it reached Dublin and other parts of the East, yet RTE have failed to mention the county in their coverage.  You would think that Louth did not exist going on RTE's news coverage.  We are hearing from Paschal Sheehy, Cathy Halloran, Ciaran Mullooly but RTE has no voice from the North East."

"Thank God our local media outlets including LMFM radio have been very active in keeping  us up to date on the current weather conditions."

"RTE have a studio in Dundalk lying vacant for some time now, and I will be calling on RTE Director General Dee Forbes and Head of News Jon Williams to re-establish a correspondent for the North-East."

16.17pm

And now comes the wind.... Anything else?!! Plague of locusts? The Four Horsemen?

Wind Warning for Dundalk & Drogheda issued by Met Eireann East to northeast winds will reach mean speeds of 55 to 65 km/h with gust of 90 to 100km/h - please stay indoors. @LMFMRADIO @DundalkDemocrat @thefaaside @TOTTDundalk @LIRRadio @LouthPPN

— Louth County Council (@louthcoco) March 1, 2018

15.59pm

Anyone see this dog about?

15.55pm

How is it where you are? We're approaching barricade-yourself-behind-the-door time. Let us know what you're up to. editor@dundalkdemocrat.ie or send us a Facebook message

15.52pm

Lets get this phone home folks! Give Sean a shout if you're phoneless... Presumably with the aid of some other kind person's phone, of course

Found a phone outside The Windsor in Vincent avenue last night. Dm me if you lost one

— sean Cotter (@seanco88) March 1, 2018

15.49pm

Deep in enemy territory this fella..

@louthgaa Louth snowman isolated in Meath ⛄️❄️⛄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/8DWBkudMPR

— Ann Mc Nally (@anronila) March 1, 2018

15.07pm

Dash cam footage from Blackrock earlier... Like the start of 'Naked Gun'. But in the snow. In Blackrock. And it has nothing to do with police or that...

14.56pm

Agreed...

It's at times like this you realise how much garbage is on daytime tv. #loans #pills #loans

— Jason McGee (@JasonMcGeeIRL) March 1, 2018

14.39pm

Local Councillor Antoin Watters sent on this photo of the queues in a local shop this afternoon. Is it it just me, but does there look to be loaves of bread in the left side of this photo?

14.33pm

Another event is cancelled locally.

The Carlingford Half Marathon & 10K event planned for Saturday, March 3rd, has been rescheduled to later date of Saturday, March 10th 2018, due to the course being impassable due to large drifts of snow.https://t.co/PtWpqTnJrj

— Carlingford (@CarlingfordIRE) March 1, 2018

14.26pm

Louth GAA legend Darren Clarke has spotted the 'Beast' on the move....

#BeastFromTheEast ⛄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/jTiPT3qmVa

— Darren Clarke (@clarkie2015) March 1, 2018

14.20pm

According to 'our man' in Kilcurry, a snow storm is kicking off there now... And so it (really) begins...

13.55pm

Getting very quiet out there now... Looks like folk have heeded the warnings and are remaining indoors. A bird has tried to fly in the window here at Democrat HQ several times in the last half hour. Just thought I'd share that with you..

13.39pm

Someone fond of puns might say that this snowdog has 'lost its head' because of the cold, but we're not those types of people. Honestly.

@DundalkDemocrat #snowdog #StormEmma #creativekids pic.twitter.com/4bcNDSm06B

— BD (@dunnebrian) March 1, 2018

13.25pm

Probably the most scenic snowperson to be sent our way today... Carlingford Lough in the background... Lovely.... Not sure about the eh, 'crotchal region'

13.10pm

This is a cracking video sent into us from Amy in Stabannon  Check it out here

13.01pm

Well, well, well... Look who decided to show up today in Dundalk...

12.52pm

Jaysus... It's like something from a zombie apocalypse in Tesco Dundalk - empty shelves galore

12.50pm

No milk in Tesco Dundalk... Scalding hot tae from now on. (Hat tip: Mark Matthews)

12.48pm

Matthews Coaches Update:

"Due to the ongoing Status Red weather warning, Matthews.ie have suspended all routes until further notice.

"The coach company operates 133 services a day between the north east and Dublin.

The company will continue to review the situation and passengers will be kept updated through the Matthews.ie Facebook page."

12.46pm

They're getting creative out there with the snow making - snowdog? (Hat tip to Ross Pugilisi Kinnard)

12.38pm

Spotted on the Newry Road... This guy gets about a bit...

12.32pm

Louth's match with Tipperary is OFF

The inevitable has been confirmed... all the #GAA off this weekend #RTEGAA https://t.co/mPyOsqTAR0

— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) March 1, 2018

12.19pm

On top of everything else...

OPW surge prediction for Dundalk, Blackrock and Drogheda. Friday 2nd March prediction 2.89 m OD Malin head from 0900 hrs to 1230 hrs
Saturday 3rd March 2.99m OD Malin head from 0830 to 1330 hrs. @LMFMRADIO @DundalkDemocrat @faaside @TOTT pic.twitter.com/y1vC9pO3yH

— Louth County Council (@louthcoco) March 1, 2018

12.16pm

I wonder if this fella made it out today...

There is a man skiing in #Dundalk pic.twitter.com/ky2oQws3gR

— Paul McClean (@paulmcclean) February 6, 2018

12.10pm

Award for best (certainly cutest) snowman of the day so far.....

@DundalkFC your new No1 supporter pic.twitter.com/go7bVQZL5K

— Clare (@claremccartney8) March 1, 2018

12.06pm

GOOD NEWS STORY OF THE DAY (SO FAR)

The dog (we might call her/him 'Emma'?) which was found roaming around Knockbridge earlier has been returned to its owner. Well done Rachel Maguire for getting the doggy home.

12.01pm

Just back from a foraging expedition to the shops... Starting to get blizzaardy (if that's even a word) out there now.. Time to stay indoors and follow Leo's orders...

11.32am

Another event casualty at Ardee St Mary's GFC...

"Due to the weather conditions we have had no choice but to cancel the ball which was due to take place this Saturday night March 3rd. The Black Tie ball will now take place on Saturday March 24th in the Nuremore hotel, all tickets are valid for the new date. Thanks. Please share to spread the word."

11.30am

We have our suspicions about the authenticity of this picture from Cooley.....

11.22am

The Beast from the East has forced another early local closure...

11.15am

Never miss a trick.....

Remember, while the #DundalkFC Merchandise Shop remains closed, you can still shop online from home ➡️ https://t.co/gmdwv4SNiL#StaySafe, Lilywhites pic.twitter.com/2eKIRK37Z4

— Dundalk FC (@DundalkFC) March 1, 2018

11.09am

The old brewery, now the Great Northern Distillery on the Carrick Road is looking a tad white...

Its like the marie celeste here in the distillery today☘️⛄️❄️☃️ pic.twitter.com/TmTo2czNHb

— GrNorthernDistillery (@GNDistillery) March 1, 2018

11.07am

The Home of Football is closed for business for the forseesable...

Due to #StormEmma, the Oriel Park office and Merchandise Shop will remain closed until further notice. Updates will follow on our social media channels. #CmonTheTown pic.twitter.com/x47bm3aFfw

— Dundalk FC (@DundalkFC) March 1, 2018

11.03am

Great idea this... Well done to all..

Louth County Council have in partnership with its service providers made provision for an additional number of beds to address any needs during the snow conditions. @LMFMRADIO @DundalkDemocrat pic.twitter.com/eYHSNmywHX

— Louth County Council (@louthcoco) March 1, 2018

11.00am

We're looking for your best local snowmen/women..... Send 'em on editor@dundalkdemocrat.ie or https://www.facebook.com/DundalkDemocrat/ 

10.58am

Do let us know of any further events/businesses/sporting events that have been cancelled around Dundalk. We'll post here to let folks know.

10.54am

It's actually World Book Day today... No better day to settle down with a good page-turner...

Happy #WorldBookDay folks We've learnt a lot from these lovely little blocks of paper over the years - may there be many more brilliant books to come! pic.twitter.com/zPaUDFp2oJ

— Quercus Books (@QuercusBooks) March 1, 2018

10.48am

The severe weather hasn't stopped some of the good folk of Dundalk from getting out and eh, training for the next winter olympics.. Check this out..

https://www.facebook.com/Mick.mc10/videos/1665232270196792/

10.42am

Our old friend Louth Weather posted an update last night for today.... A glimmer of hope perhaps?

10.37am

Local Cllr John McGahon to go on LMFM shortly regarding the response to the severe weather.

Will be on @LMFMRADIO in 5 discussing @louthcoco emergency plans for #StormEmma

— John McGahon (@John_McGahon) March 1, 2018

10.32am

Louth County Council just issued an update on the response to Storm Emma. Take a read of it below:

"The Chief Executive of Louth County Council, Joan Martin convened a meeting of statutory agencies this morning Thursday 1st March. Representatives from An Garda Síochána and the Health Services Executive joined senior members of the Local Authority to review plans for the respective agencies in light of the revised Red Status warning that is now extended to 1500 hrs on Friday 2nd March.

"A decision was published yesterday Wednesday 28th February to close all Local Authority Offices. Gritting Crews continued to operate during the night and used a total of 220 tonne or rock salt gritting an aggregate of 1780 kilometres of National, Regional and town centre roads. Outdoor teams re-commenced the clearing of footpaths in Dundalk Drogheda and Ardee. This service has now been suspended due to the worsening conditions.

"All Services will now be suspended with Gritting Services hopefully resuming at 1500 hrs on Friday 2nd March. Crews and contractors will be deployed on Saturday 3rd March at 0900hrs to commence clearing of footpaths.

"Traders and Property owners are encouraged to clear footpaths outside their own properties when it is safe to do so.

"Louth County Council advise all communities to adhere to the national and local warnings and not venture out until at least the red status warning is reduced."

10.30am

Lots of people asking what the roads are like around north Louth this morning. Safe to say they're slippy and to be avoided if at all possible. 

10.15am

Good morning. That cold enough for you?

The Democrat will be guiding you through the next few hours with this live blog of all that's going on (or most probably, not) in Dundalk and north Louth as the Beast from the East, and Storm Emma get together to make all our lives more, eh fun....

Anyway, send any pics or interesting snow stories to editor@dundalkdemocrat.ie or Facebook message us and we'll make sure to add them here as the day unfolds...