Press release
National Emergency Co-ordination Group meets as Storm Éowyn tracks across Ireland
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) met this morning (Friday) to assess the situation and coordinate the response as Storm Éowyn continues to bring dangerous, damaging and destructive weather conditions across the country and an unprecedented number of power outages are being experienced nationwide.
Government was briefed last night on the expected impacts of the storm and the preparations in place countrywide and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, joined this morning’s meeting.
While Red level weather warnings are in place, the public is urged to ‘shelter in place’ - stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel.
When the Red warnings expire, much of the country will remain under serious Orange level warnings. Strong winds will continue, and conditions are expected to remain very dangerous. People should continue to stay home if they can and to exercise caution if travelling or outdoors.
The period following a storm can often be the most dangerous and people should continue to be very careful particularly with regard to the hazard of fallen power lines and the threat of fallen trees and debris blocking roads.
The NECG is working to coordinate and mobilise all available resources to support the efforts to restore power and services to homes, farms and businesses as soon as possible, prioritising vulnerable people.
Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams (SWATs) are monitoring conditions locally and emergency response teams will respond where and when necessary and safe to do so.
ESB Networks continue to closely monitor the storm impact on power supplies and all available resources stand ready to mobilise once safe to do so. It is expected that power restoration will take a significant number of days.
Keith Leonard, Chair of the NECG said:
“Storm Éowyn has brought record-breaking winds and is causing widespread damage and disruption. Public safety remains our focus, and the public should continue to shelter in place where Red Level Wind Warnings remain valid.
“It’s also important to remember that even when a red warning expires, we may continue to see potentially dangerous and damaging conditions until the storm has fully passed. Weather warnings will remain in place for much of the country, so please continue to take care throughout the day.
“The aftermath of this storm is also going to present its own dangers. We are going to see widespread fallen trees, fallen power lines and other hazardous debris, so I’m urging drivers to take extra care as we move into this evening and the weekend. And please heed the advice from the ESB – never approach fallen power lines and report such cases immediately to ESB Emergency Services.
“While public safety remains our number one priority, the NECG is also now pivoting to the recovery stage. We are liaising with agencies, local authorities and key stakeholders to assess the extent of the damage – which in some parts will be at unprecedented levels – and ensuring we get the right responses and resources into the right places to get the country back to normal as soon as possible.
“I would like to thank the public for following our advice during this challenging event and I would now ask them to bear with us as we work through the recovery over the next few days.”
The NECG Infrastructure Sub-Group will meet this afternoon with a focus on coordinating the ongoing efforts to restore power and other services.
The full NECG will meet again tomorrow, and work will continue throughout the day to coordinate the response and recovery.
Status Red - Wind warning for Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo
Expires noon Friday
Status Red - Wind warning for Donegal
Expires 2pm Friday
Status Orange - Wind warning for Ireland
Expires noon Friday
Status Orange - Wind warning for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Connacht, Longford, Louth, Meath, Westmeath
Valid noon - 4pm Friday
Status Yellow - Wind warning for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Wicklow, Munster
Valid noon - 4pm Friday
Status Yellow - Wind warning for Donegal
Valid 4pm-11pm Friday
Storm Éowyn has been the most damaging storm we have experienced. Extreme, damaging and destructive winds have continued to cause widespread and extensive damage to the electricity network across the country with over 715,000 homes, farms and businesses without power.
ESB Networks continue to closely monitor the storm impact on power supplies and all available resources stand ready to mobilise once safe to do so. From our experience of previous significant weather events and due to the severity of Storm Éowyn, we expect that power restoration will take a significant number of days.
ESB Networks is part of a mutual association called NEWSAC (North, East, West, South Area Consortium) which is composed of all of the electricity companies in Ireland and the UK. These companies provide mutual aid to support each other in the aftermath of storms. While we are very conscious that other electricity Network companies are facing challenges as result of this storm, a formal request has been submitted to NEWSAC for support crews to aid restoration.
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 crews are assessing the impact of Storm Éowyn on water supplies across the country following last night’s violent storms.
Significant disruption to supply is expected due to widespread power outages impacting on water and wastewater treatment plants, pumping station and other network assets.
Approximately 150,000 customers may be at risk of water supply disruption during the day as a result. However, the majority should still have water due to storage in reservoirs.
Incident management processes have been stood up and crews will mobilise to assess damage to plants and begin restoring normal supplies once the red-level warning has lifted and it is safe to do so.
There is significant disruption to Telecommunications networks as Storm Eowyn continues to travel across Ireland. Telecommunications operators are heavily reliant on power restoration to restore connectivity.
Comreg have indicated outages are expected to be worse than following Storms Darragh and Darwin.
Eir have indicated 11,000 broadband faults, 10,000 fixed voice faults and circa 500 mobile network site outages. 625 Fixed Network sites and 150 Mobile sites are operating on backup power. Eir faults are most significant in Cork, Mayo Meath, Clare and Kildare.
Vodafone have indicated 96,000 without broadband and 10% of mobile sites currently off air. Generators being moved to key sites to restore connectivity.
Comreg is liaising with operators and further updates are expected.
Public transport does not operate during red warnings.
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.
Air and ferry passengers seeking updates regarding specific flights or ferry crossings, should contact their airline or ferry operator directly.
All primary and post-primary schools, early learning and childcare settings and further education institutions, training centres and higher education institutions are closed today.
The Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has confirmed that the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme will be available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected Storm Éowyn.
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme prevents hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are unable to meet costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair.
If any homeowner affected by severe weather needs to access these supports, emergency Community Welfare Service contact details are available here: gov.ie - Customer Notices.
Extreme and severe weather events can impact on an employee’s ability to report for work and an employer’s ability to operate their business and to be able to provide work.
The guidance from the Workplace Relations Commission may be of assistance where the contract of employment or the statement of terms of employment does not specifically deal with the issue.
The HSE’s priority is to keep patients, their families and staff safe. HSE services throughout the country will see significant disruptions due to Storm Éowyn.
A range of services in hospitals and community healthcare have been cancelled today 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.
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 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 worked 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 by ensuring 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.
Learn more on how to stay safe on the government’s Be Winter Ready website.
An Garda Síochána reminds the public not to be complacent over the coming hours. As the country moves from Red Wind Warnings, the entire country remains under Orange and Yellow Wind Warnings. Following the impact of the storm force winds many roads are blocked by fallen trees, fallen wires and other debris. Many trees and structures may be left in dangerous unstable conditions, which may be further weakened, damaged and knocked by Orange and Yellow level winds.
Members of the public venturing back outside must do so with extreme caution. Drivers using any roads after the expiration of the weather warnings and over this coming weekend must Slow Down, Expect the Unexpected and Stay Safe.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is urging the public to take extreme caution.
Nationally all road users are being advised to be aware of the dangers once the storm has passed. When the extreme weather passes road users will still have to contend with potentially hazardous road conditions such as flooded roads and downed pylons, lines, trees, branches, and other debris which could block roads. Obey any road closures or diversions put in place by Local Authorities and An Garda Síochána.