Preasráitis
National Emergency Co-ordination Group meets again as red weather warnings issued for entire country
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
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:
“Storm Éowyn is set to be one of the most severe storms Ireland has seen. It is going to be a damaging, dangerous and destructive weather event. The forecasted winds will bring severe conditions which will constitute a risk to life and property. Our most important message today is everybody needs to shelter in place during the Red Level Wind Warnings.
“We are likely to see significant and widespread power outages, so I would encourage everyone to prepare ahead. Make sure phones, torches and laptops are fully charged. Ensure that there is no loose garden furniture or other items on your property that could cause problems in strong winds. Check that vulnerable and older people have everything they need in their home.
“It’s also important to remember that even after the storm has passed, there is a strong possibility of fallen trees and other debris so drivers are also urged to take care in the aftermath of the storm.”
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:
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
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.
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.