Ireland warned to prepare as ‘most dangerous’ Storm Éowyn approaches

By Cate McCurry, PA

Schools, early learning and childcare settings will be shut and people have been advised to remain indoors as the country prepares for one of the “most dangerous storms” it has ever faced.

Met Éireann has issued status red warnings for wind which covers the entire country, which will come into effect from the early hours of Friday morning.

The worst of Storm Éowyn is expected to hit on Friday morning, with gusts of winds reaching up to 130kph, including inland.

There have been warnings of danger to life, fallen electric lines, damaged infrastructure and widespread power outages as strong winds make landfall.

Chair of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group, Keith Leonard, said that Storm Éowyn will be one of the most severe storms Ireland has seen.

“It is going to be a damaging, dangerous and destructive weather event,” he said in Dublin on Friday.

“The forecasted winds will bring severe conditions which will constitute a risk to life and property.

“Our most important message today is that everybody needs to shelter in place for the duration of all red 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 are 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 that they need in advance of Storm Eowyn setting in.”

Eoin Sherlock, head of forecasting at Met Éireann, said red nationwide warnings have been issued because of the “extraordinary intensity” of the storm.

“The storm is going to approach the south-west coast early tonight, and it will spread northwards through the country.

“We expect this storm to be destructive, dangerous and disruptive. We can expect (gusts) greater than 130 kilometres per hour inland, which is very, very unusual.”

Mr Sherlock said: “We haven’t seen forecasted wind speeds like this in quite a long time. The wind speed at sea is going to be greater and coastal areas will be quite at risk for even stronger winds, than the 130km per hour.

“I suppose our inhabitants on the islands have to take great care, because we would expect hurricane force winds. A nationwide red wind warning is exceptional.

“It’s going to be an extraordinary storm in terms of wind speed, and as we move from the red warnings, it’s also important to note that we will move from red warnings to orange warnings.

“As you transition from the red to the orange, there’ll still be strong winds, up to 130 kilometres per hour so people need to be cognisant of that and act accordingly.

“The main impact is danger to life. There will be extremely dangerous driving conditions, unsafe working conditions as well. Transport has been disrupted, and there’s going to be many fallen trees, significant and widespread power outages.

“There’s going to be … impacts to our communications network, but we are also going to see some structural damage.

“From a coastal point of view, really, really high seas, 10, 12, 14, metres out of the sea, so we can expect some coastal wave over-topping and maybe in low lying areas we could see some coastal inundation.”

Superintendent Liam Geraghty said that now is the time to be a community and urged the public to check on isolated and vulnerable family, friends and neighbours.

“Please ensure they are aware and are prepared for this storm event,” he said.

He also warned of fallen trees, structural damage and other unexpected debris on the roads as well as fallen or damaged live wires in many areas across the country.

Chief executive of Meath County Council, Kieran Kehoe, said that emergency accommodation has been provided to rough sleepers.

He urged people to stay indoors and exercise caution.

People have also been warned to stay away from the coastline and any exposed areas during the red warnings.

 

Members of the Defence Forces will also be on standby and will be deployed across the country where needed.

Mr Leonard said it is one of the most dangerous storms that Ireland will have faced.

“This is at the extreme end of Atlantic storms,” he said.

Speaking about the origins of the storm, Mr Sherlock said: “The reason why Donald Trump was inaugurated inside was because of the cold weather in America. The cold weather in America and the milder conditions further south in central America have put a squeeze on the system that was giving snow in the US.

“That pressure went out into the Atlantic, it got picked up by the jet stream, the jet stream is of incredible speed, over 400 to 420km per hour, and that pushed Storm Eowyn across the Atlantic and as it exited the jet stream like a spinning top, it is coming out with incredible intensity and unfortunately we are in the firing line of this storm.”

Employers have been advised to be as flexible as possible with employees, and that travelling conditions will be difficult.

Mr Leonard reminded employers that they have a duty of care to employers, which “trumps commercial activity”.

Jennifer Gilna, from the National Transport Authority, said that public transport will not operate during red warnings.

“The rule of thumb is that we will stop transport services approximately two hours before the red weather warnings kick in as they are at different times across the country,” she added.

“Please stay at home and check in with operator to see what is available in your area.