As the extent of the damage caused by  Storm Éowyn became clear, Fórsa members around Ireland were to the fore of the nationwide response. Throughout the whole episode from pre-planning, to emergency monitoring and response and the subsequent clean-up, our members showed up time and time again for their communities. 

Head of the union's Local Government and Local Services and Municipal Employees' Divisions Richy Carrothers said: “Local authorities play a vital role in coordinating community response and outreach in the best of times and the worst of times. Our members are still supporting people whose electricity and water have been cut off over two weeks on from the storm, as well as working to repair damage and restore services.”

On Friday 24th January the storm broke wind records and impacted every county, with damage to homes and significant public buildings and amenities.

Workers in local authorities began assessing the damage in the immediate aftermath of the storm, and then started to coordinate local level humanitarian assistance for people who were significantly impacted by Storm Éowyn.

Local coordination groups were put in place in 16 local authority areas. More than 329 emergency response hubs were set up in the counties most affected by service outages, assisting people with basic needs such as water, hot food, phone charging, broadband access, and shower facilities.

Richy continued: “The organisation of these local coordination groups and emergency response hubs was a powerful demonstration of the central role local authorities have in the communities in which they operate. I want to thank our members for the service they have given during this very challenging time.”

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