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Update on the current situation of Storm Éowyn.

Issued by the Government Press Office

24 January 2025

 

National Emergency Co-ordination Group meets as Storm Éowyn tracks across Ireland

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.

 

Met Éireann weather warnings currently in place:


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


Public safety advice

  1. During Orange warnings the public are advised to limit travel to essential and shelter in place as much as possible in areas where an orange level warning is in place. Essential services operators will continue to operate services subject to advice from Met Éireann on prevailing local conditions.
  2. During the Red Level wind warnings, the public are advised to shelter in place.
  3. The forecasted winds have the capacity to bring severe, destructive and damaging gusts, which will constitute a risk to life and property.
  4. 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”.
  5. Coastal and island communities should take particular care as winds will be more severe on the islands
  6. There is a potential for wave overtopping and tidal flooding in low-lying, exposed coastal areas across the country, especially on Atlantic coasts.
  7. In addition to this, the Storm Éowyn may also bring localised heavy showers, which in turn may lead to localised surface flooding, which may prevail into Saturday.
  8. The Electricity network is expected to be severely impacted, the public are advised to prepare for the arrival of the storm including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.
  9. The public are advised not to travel, during the Red Warnings
  10. Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is also available across the Met Éireann App, social media platforms (@meteireann) and other news media sources.
  11. 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 www.PowerCheck.ie in regard to power restoration times.
  12. Uisce Éireann customers can check the 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. The public can also sign up online to our free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies - see www.water.ie.” 

 

Power

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.  


Water

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.


Telecoms

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 and travel

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.


Education and childcare settings

All primary and post-primary schools, early learning and childcare settings and further education institutions, training centres and higher education institutions are closed today.

 

Humanitarian Assistance Scheme

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 (www.gov.ie).

 

Absence from work during extreme weather events

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 at this link may be of assistance where the contract of employment or the statement of terms of employment does not specifically deal with the issue.

 

Health services

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 at https://www2.hse.ie/services/disruptions/ 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.

 
Homeless services

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, fishers and agriculture

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 6072379.

Learn more on how to stay safe on the government’s  Be Winter Ready website.


Road safety

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.


Advice when driving during poor weather:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance - this helps to dry the brakes.
  6. 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.
  7. Beware of objects being blown out onto the road. Expect the unexpected.
  8. Watch out for falling / fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road.
  9. Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds.
  10. 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 e.g. pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists:

  1. Walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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. 

 

ENDS

 

For further information contact:

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Press Office

Tel: (01) 888 2638 (direct)

Email: press@housing.gov.ie

Website: gov.ie/housing

Twitter: @DeptHousingIRL

Content Last Updated/Reviewed: 24/01/2025