There is a Status Red warning in place for 22 counties as Ireland braces for the arrival of Storm Éowyn. The country is on high alert, with Met Éireann issuing a series of weather warnings on Tuesday predicting “severe, damaging and extremely destructive” gusts in excess of 130km/hour.
The storm, which is set to arrive in the early hours of Friday morning, is expected to bring with it “danger to life,” extremely dangerous travelling conditions and unsafe working confusions. The weather service said that travellers can also expect disruption and cancellations to transport, many fallen trees, and cancellations of events.
Met Éireann has also said people can expect to see many fallen trees, along with significant and widespread power outages, impacts to communication networks, and structural damage. The storm is also expected to bring with it wave overtopping and coastal flooding in low-lying and exposed areas.
The highest-level Status Red alert has been issued for multiple counties, initially impacting four counties, with the warning having been extended this afternoon to now include most of the country. The only areas now excluded from the warning are Wexford, Waterford, Carlow and Kilkenny, which remain under a Status Orange warning.
The warning will last from 3am to 12pm on Friday, with schools, early learning centres, higher education and childcare facilities set to close in Status Red areas for the duration of the storm, having been confirmed by a government spokesperson.
In red-warning areas, employers have been encouraged to allow staff to work from home where possible.
From 9pm on Thursday night, a Status Yellow rain warning has been issued for Cork, Kerry and Waterford, with heavy rain expected, “leading to localised flooding.”
From 2am to 10am on Friday, a Status Red wind warning is in place for Cork, Kerry and Limerick, bringing severe gusts and “danger to life.” A Status Orange wind warning is in place for Ireland from 2am on Friday until 5pm on Friday evening.
In Clare and Galway, a Status Red wind warning will remain in place from 2am to 12 noon on Friday, with a Status Red wind warning also issued for Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo from 4am on Friday to 12 noon.
In Dublin, Cavan, Monaghan, Kildare, Longford, Laois, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Roscommon and Tipperary, a Status Red wind warning will be in place from 6am on Friday to 12 noon. Meanwhile, a Status Red wind warning will remain in place in Donegal from 6am to 3pm this Friday.