Laois people urged to stay home after Storm Éowyn warnings expire

Laois County Council has urged local people to heed the Status Red warnings in place for Storm Éowyn but to also stay home after the alerts have elapsed in Laois.

The local authority, which oversees the emergency response to storms, said the national message in the Status Red weather warning is Storm Éowyn would be extremely dangerous and destructive.

"It is very important that everyone takes heed of the warnings in place. During the Status Red warning, the public are advised to shelter in place," it said.

The council said the public should not venture out after the Status Red alert expires in Laois at 11am on Friday as a Status Orange alert will remain in force until 4pm.

"Given the additional Status Orange warning, great care will also be needed after the Red Warning as it will take a considerable period for the authorities to assess the damage and potential dangers to the public.

"Following severe wind gusts, significant damage to property, disruption to key public services and very dangerous conditions across the road network are highly likely," it said.

"Stay at home and exercise extreme caution for this storm event, and in the aftermath. Across Co Laois, significant dangers will persist for some time after the weather warnings have lapsed," it said.

Laois County Council will operate a dedicated Severe Weather Hotline, operational from 5.30am on Friday 24th January. The Hotline Number is 1800 832010.

Emergency calls should be directed to 999 or 112, in the normal way. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Met Éireann Storm Éowyn expected impacts include:

• • Danger to life
• • Extremely dangerous travelling conditions
• • Unsafe working conditions
• • Disruption and cancellations to transport
• • Many fallen trees
• • Significant and widespread power outages
• • Impacts to communications networks
• • Cancellation of events
• • Structural damage.
• This will be a dangerous, damaging, and destructive weather event. Stay indoors and do not travel during the period of the red warning.
• Do not attempt to deal with fallen trees or debris on the public roadway.

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.