b'5.3Kildare - Climate Hazards While some events such as storm events can and are The impacts of climate change experienced in expected to bring with them extreme rainfall, other County Kildare generally reflect the national patternless usual combination events such as an extended and trends of observed climate hazards.A review ofdry period/heatwave followed quickly by an extreme extreme weather events in County Kildare over therainfall event or a heavy snow event followed by heavy past 35 years has been undertaken using publishedrainfall bring about new and significant impacts. Met ireann data, 11along with relevant OPW Flood Risk Management Plans and some information fromWith all extreme events and particularly combination Kildare County Council. The timeline on the previousevents, comes an understanding of the level ofpage highlights the range and frequency of majorunpredictability. Nevertheless, knowledge andevents to impact County Kildare. experience acquired from past events (includingfuture cycles of OPW Flood Risk Management Plans) The timeline visually represents the profile of cli- will benefit future planning and preparedness and a matic hazards that have been experienced in Kildarecontinuous review of extreme events will help build and have had both direct and indirect impacts on theresilience and prevent the worst of risks.delivery of services and the performance of functions across the Council. Table 5.2 identifies by category theThe most prevalent climatic hazard relevant to Kildare extreme weather events having impacted the deliveryCounty Council is extreme rainfall events, followed by of services and functions of the Council.wind storms, freezing/snow events and extremeheat/drought events. The impacts and consequences It is evident when assessing the climatic hazardsof these climatic events vary quite significantly in there are four main climatic categories that are terms of impacts on service delivery. While extreme relevant to Kildare County Council. These include windrainfall events represent the most prevalentstorms, extreme heat/drought events, extreme rainfallclimatic hazard for Kildare County Council, theevents and freezing conditions/snow events. impact on service delivery can be limited to just a Combination events, i.e. two extreme climatic eventssmall number of operational areas. Significant wind occuring simultaneously, are noted also. Such and snow events, although less prevalent, have proven combination events give rise to more severe andto be more impactful on Kildare County Council with destructive impacts.consequences including building closures andcomplete service disruption for days. The impacts and consequences of these extreme weather events are 11 www.met.ie examined in further detail on the following pages.36'