National Emergency Co-ordination Group meets again as red weather warnings issued for entire country

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) met again today (Thursday) to prepare for Storm Éowyn as red level weather warnings are due to come into effect overnight tonight and into Friday.

Extremely dangerous, damaging and disruptive weather conditions are expected on Friday and the public are urged to ‘shelter in place’ during red warnings. People should stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and take action to protect themselves and their properties.

All primary and post-primary schools, early learning and childcare settings and further and higher education institutions will close on Friday and will remain closed for the day.

Employers should facilitate working from home for all employees who can do so during the red weather warning. Only emergency service workers should be leaving home for work, where directed by their employer. The NECG encourages employers in cases where people cannot work from home to adopt a flexible, pragmatic and practical approach.

Public transport will not operate during a red warning. Transport operators will make an assessment on when services can resume when the red warnings are lifted and it should be noted that it may take some time for services to resume. In some cases, transport services will shut down two hours in advance of the red warnings coming into effect. Check with your operator before you leave and plan your journey home.

Air and ferry passengers seeking updates regarding specific flights or ferry crossings, should contact their airline or ferry operator directly.

Significant surge waves, wind and wave conditions are predicted, and the public are advised to stay away from all coastal regions during this storm.

Widespread disruption to public and other services is to be anticipated during the storm.

Keith Leonard, Chair of the NECG, said:

The NECG will meet again tomorrow morning.

Storm Éowyn will bring gale force winds, including severe, damaging and destructive gusts of up to 130km/h widely, with even higher gusts possible.

Likely impacts will include:

• extremely dangerous travelling conditions
• cancellation of events
• wave overtopping
• coastal flooding in low lying and exposed areas
• unsafe working conditions
• fallen trees and damage to electricity and telecoms infrastructure
• significant and widespread power outages
• structural damage
• disruption and cancellations to public transport

The NECG is continuing to liaise with Met Éireann and monitor the situation to coordinate an appropriate response.

On the ground, Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams (SWATs) will continue to monitor conditions locally and emergency response teams will be in place, ready to respond where and when necessary.

Status Red - Wind warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford

Valid 2am-10am Friday

Status Red - Wind warning for Clare, Galway

Valid: 3am-11am Friday

Status Red - Wind warning for Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo

Valid: 4am-noon Friday

Status Red - Wind warning for Cavan, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Roscommon, Tipperary

Valid: 6am-11am Friday

Status Red - Wind warning for Donegal

Valid: 7am-2pm Friday

Status Orange - Wind warning for Ireland

Valid: 00:00 Friday - 4pm Friday

Status Yellow - Rain warning for Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Wexford

Valid 9pm Thursday – 5am Friday

Status Yellow - Wind warning for Donegal

Valid 4pm-11pm Friday

• during red warnings the public are advised to not travel and to shelter in place during these times. Essential services operators will continue to operate services where it is safe to do so subject to advice from Met Éireann on prevailing local conditions
• high seas: the public are advised to stay away from coastal areas during this period. The Irish Coast Guard are appealing to people to “Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry”
• coastal and island communities should take particular care as winds will be more severe on the islands
• strong winds can make driving conditions hazardous, especially for the more vulnerable road users, for example: cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and high sided vehicles. Road users should pay particular attention to the risk posed by fallen trees and flying debris
• there is a potential for wave overtopping and tidal flooding in low-lying exposed coastal areas across the country, especially on Atlantic coasts
• in addition to this, the Storm Éowyn may also bring localised heavy showers, which in turn may lead to surface flooding in urban locations
• people are advised to prepare for the arrival of the storm including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication
• driving conditions will be hazardous. Never drive through flooded roads, the depth of the water can be deceiving
• monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit the Met Éireann website for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources
• ESB Networks is highlighting the dangers posed by fallen live wires and is advising the public and the emergency services to stay away from these fallen cables and to report such cases to it immediately. ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor the PowerCheck website in regards to power restoration times

ESB Networks crews and partner contractors around the country have been making the necessary advance preparations, with all available resources on alert for the onset of Storm Éowyn.

ESB Networks continually monitor the latest forecasts and real time events on the electricity network and will deploy crews to restore supply when it is safe to do so.

On a precautionary basis, ESB Networks would like to ask customers to consider preparations in the event of losing their electricity supply if their area is affected. This includes having torches, spare batteries, fully charged phones and their MPRN number (found on the top right corner of each electricity bill) to hand. More information is available here: Be Prepared.

An important Public Safety Message: If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous. Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999.

Uisce Éireann’s severe weather preparations have been activated. Customers can check their website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via their 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. People can also sign up online to free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies - go to the Uisce Éireann website.

HSE services throughout the country will see significant disruptions due to Storm Éowyn.

A range of services in hospitals and community healthcare will be cancelled tomorrow due to the severe weather warning status red.

Where people are in receipt of specialist and time critical services such as dialysis and cancer treatment, the treating unit will contact the patient directly if there are any changes to the schedule. Supports to vulnerable people at home in the community will be prioritised on an urgent needs basis during the hours of restricted travel (Red Hours).

The HSE’s priority is to keep patients, their families and staff safe.

The HSE will do all possible to ensure continuity of critical emergency services including ambulance, ED, dialysis, oncology treatment and pre-natal care for expectant mothers. If you are in any doubt or worried please contact your service, however for the most part all non-urgent outpatient appointments and community clinics are cancelled for tomorrow and will be rescheduled as soon as possible. Only HSE buildings connected to immediate and urgent service provision will be staffed during the period of the storm.

Anyone requiring urgent emergency care should attend their local emergency department for treatment, whilst taking every precaution to keep safe on route. As always, emergency departments provide emergency care to patients 24/7.

Regular updates on services are available on the HSE website and the HSE will also provide regular updates through local media and on national and regional social media channels. Where possible, HSE teams will make contact directly with those who use our day centre services in disability, mental health, or older people to advise them of disruptions. Families can also contact their local day service directly to get an update.

With regard to rough sleepers, Cold Weather Initiatives are in operation across all local authorities to provide additional emergency beds for rough sleepers where needed – ensuring that additional temporary beds can be brought into use across a range of existing services and facilities, for singles and couples who need them during periods of cold weather.

Outreach teams will be working to make contact with rough sleepers in advance of the severe weather. The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) has a free app which enables members of the public to alert them to the location of anyone sleeping rough, so that outreach teams can make contact with them.

• farmers are advised to be extra vigilant and take precautions during stormy conditions, particularly when working alone. Working outdoors during stormy conditions can lead to a serious incident. Farmers should check that buildings and loose objects are secure. Farmers should also ensure that livestock have shelter, feed and access to water, working during dangerous conditions can be avoided
• farmers should not put their safety at risk by attempting to carry out repairs or remove fallen trees or branches during stormy conditions. After the storm, removing fallen trees or branches should only be undertaken by operators with the skills and the personal protective equipment to carry out the work safely
• fallen electricity wires and wires in contact with or close to damaged trees pose a particular risk in the aftermath of a storm. The ESB should be contacted immediately where electricity wires pose a risk to safety
• the fishing fleet is particularly vulnerable in stormy conditions, which are expected to be most severe along the western coastline. Fishers should take particular care to ensure vessels are securely berthed in advance of the storm and follow the weather warnings
• for animal welfare issues connected with severe weather, please keep in touch with your agricultural advisor or contact the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Animal Welfare Helpline on phone: 01 607 2379

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is urging the public to take extreme caution.

People are being urged not to travel on Friday with extremely strong winds which will result in fallen trees and power lines, destruction to property, flying debris, and road blockages.

Advice when driving during poor weather

• slow down and allow a greater braking distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front in wet weather conditions. This is especially important on high-speed roads such as dual carriageways and motorways where there is increased danger of aquaplaning
• take special care when driving behind goods vehicles, as they generate a considerable amount of spray, which reduces your visibility. Hold back to where you can see their mirrors
• if the road ahead is flooded, choose another route. Don't attempt to drive through it. Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think. The verge may have subsided and there may also be trees or branches that have fallen that may not be visible
• road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic that have been put there by the local council or An Garda Síochána
• after going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance - this helps to dry the brakes
• Be Safe. Be Seen. Drive with dipped headlights at all times to ensure that you are visible and that you can see other road users
• beware of objects being blown out onto the road. Expect the unexpected
• watch out for falling / fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road
• control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds
• drivers should allow extra space between themselves and vulnerable road users such as people cycling and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds

Advice to road users (pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists)

• walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths
• people cycling should ensure that they and their bike are visible to other road users by investing in a good set of front and rear lights (white at the front, red at the back) and by wearing clothes that help you be seen on your bike. Consider wearing high visibility material
• take extra care when crossing the road or cycling in extremely windy conditions, as a sudden gust of wind could blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle
• Be Safe. Be Seen. Visibility and light are reduced in poor weather conditions. Keep safe by making sure you can be seen. Wear bright clothing and consider wearing high visibility material