Dear Provider,
Following meetings of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group regarding Storm Éowyn, the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management has advised Storm Éowyn is forecast to bring very dangerous and destructive winds on Thursday night and Friday.
The Directorate has requested all schools, Early Learning and Care (ELC), School-Age Childcare (SAC) and further and higher education institutions services in Red counties to close for the duration of the Red warning which is currently in place for Friday, 24 January. Services should ensure they communicate closures to parents as early as possible. The Directorate has further requested individual service providers to make an assessment of damage and advise parents directly on reopening. It is 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.
DCEDIY confirms that funding for ELC and SAC schemes in counties with Red warnings will be maintained. Services in Red counties will not be required to apply for force majeure.
Met Éireann Status Red – Wind Warning for Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick
Valid: 03:00 Friday 24/01/2025 to 10:00 Friday 24/01/2025. Issued: 10:05 Wednesday 22/01/2025
Storm Éowyn: Gale force southerly winds becoming westerly will bring severe, damaging and destructive gusts in excess of 130km/h
Impacts:
- Danger to life
- Extremely dangerous travelling conditions
- Cancellation of events
- Wave overtopping
- Coastal flooding in low lying and exposed areas
- Unsafe working conditions
- Fallen trees
- Significant and widespread power outages
- Structural damage
- Disruption and cancellations to transport
A status red severe weather warning means ‘shelter in place’. People in the areas affected by red warnings should stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and take action to protect themselves and their properties.
Employers in red warning areas should facilitate working from home for all employees who can do so. Only emergency service workers should be leaving home for work, where directed by their employer.
Widespread disruption to public and other services is to be anticipated.
Orange weather warnings are in place for all other counties, and it is expected that more counties will move into red weather warnings. The public are strongly advised to keep up to date with Met Eireann forecasts and weather warnings over the coming days.
Met Éireann Status Orange – Wind Warning for Ireland
Valid: 02:00 Friday 24/01/2025 to 17:00 Friday 24/01/2025. Issued: 08:34 Wednesday 22/01/2025. Updated: 09:44 Wednesday 22/01/2025
Storm Éowyn: Gale force southerly winds becoming westerly will bring severe, damaging and destructive gusts of up to 130km/h widely, with even higher gusts for a time.
Impacts:
- Fallen trees
- Damage to power lines and power outages
- Structural damage
- Very difficult travelling conditions
- Disruption and cancellations to transport
- Wave overtopping
Where Orange warnings are in place, the public are advised to limit travel to essential journeys only. An orange wind warning should not be underestimated – it can bring extremely strong gusts and can also pose a threat to life and property.
Services in any counties with Orange warnings on Friday should decide locally to open or close following an assessment of weather warnings and local conditions in conjunction with national guidance and emergency response agencies. Services in any counties which have an Orange warning and are unable to open can apply for force majeure as usual.
HOW TO STAY SAFE IN EXTREME WEATHER
- During the Red Level wind warnings, the public are advised to shelter in place.
- Orange warnings; the public are limit travel to essential 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.
- The forecasted winds have the capacity to bring severe, destructive and damaging winds which will constitute a risk to life and property.
- 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”.
- There is a potential for tidal flooding in coastal areas. In addition to this, the Storm Éowyn may also bring localised heavy showers, which in turn may lead to localised flooding.
- 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.
- The public are advised not to travel, during the Red Warnings
- Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit www.met.ie 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 www.powercheck.ie. In regards to power restoration times.
- 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
The Department would like to remind providers of the specific Be Winter Ready advisory information for ELC and SAC settings which is available at gov.ie – Schools and Early Learning and Childcare Services Severe Weather – Be Winter Ready. The information includes important details for services on being prepared, keeping informed of weather updates and advisories and decision making on possible service closures.
Regards,
Early Years Division
