Gardaí warn 'stay indoors' as Laois County Council announces closures ahead of Storm Éowyn

All Laois County Council buildings and facilities will be closed on Friday, January 24 while Gardaí have warned the public to 'stay indoors' during Storm Éowyn's dangerous red warning. 

Laois will be under the highest level of wind warning, which poses a risk to life, from 6am on Friday until 11am. An orange warning will also be in place from 2am to 4pm on Friday. 

"Due to the weather warning, all Laois County Council buildings and facilities will be closed to the public on Friday, January 24 and will re-open on Monday, January 27.  This includes the landfill which will also be closed on Saturday, January 25," said a Council spokesperson. 

An Garda Síochána has issued advise to the public ahead of the storm which is expected to be one of the worst Ireland has ever experienced. 

"People in areas during the times affected by red warnings should stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and take action to protect themselves and their properties," said a Garda spokesperson. 

"An Garda Síochána and our colleagues in the other blue light emergency services will be on duty but depending on local weather conditions may not be in a position to respond to help during the height of Storm Éowyn, subject to dynamic risk assessments. 

"Do not put yourself or members of the emergency services at risk during this period.

"Members of the Public should prepare today for Storm Éowyn. Please ensure that property, garden furniture and other loose material on your properties are secured. 

"Today is the time to be a community, to check on isolated and vulnerable family, friends and neighbours. Please ensure that they are aware of and prepared for this storm event.

"Once the time duration of a Red warning has passed in your area, please exercise extreme caution and care when venturing out on the public roads, an Orange wind warning remains in place. There will be fallen trees, structural and other unexpected debris, and fallen or damaged live electricity wires in many areas across the country. Trees and structures may be unstable. The emergency services and our colleagues in Local Authorities and Utility Service providers will be busy across the road network identifying and repairing damaged infrastructure.

"An Garda Síochána appeals to every person using the public roads after the expiration of the weather warnings and over this coming weekend, to Slow Down, Expect the Unexpected and Stay Safe.

"An Garda Síochána again reiterates and cannot overstate the public safety advice that during the Status Red Warning times the public should ‘shelter in place’.

The entire island will be under a status red wind warning. 

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) met again on Thursday to prepare. 
 
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 are being asked to 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.”