Storm Eunice: Ireland braces for ‘high-impact, multi-hazard weather event’

Gardaí have urged the public to heed warnings for their local areas.

Those living in the worst-affected areas have been advised to remain indoors for the duration of the storm, expected to be from just after midnight on Friday.

An orange snow warning has also been issued for several counties in the north and west, including Donegal, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon.

Where orange snow warnings are in place, high winds combined with snow may lead to blizzard-like conditions.

The storm is expected to be powerful but relatively short, zipping across the island overnight, and is expected to leave a trail of destruction including fallen trees, power outages and coastal flooding.

'High-impact, multi-hazard weather event'

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group met at noon on Thursday to finalise planning.

Chairman Keith Leonard said the panel expects a “high-impact, multi-hazard weather event”.

Tommy Ryan from the County and City Management Association said crews are on standby, as well as Civil Defence if necessary.

“Each local authority is scaling the response at an appropriate level depending on the level of warning, whether it is red, orange or yellow,” he said.

“The local government sector is prepared and ready to respond.”

The Coast Guard has appealed to fishermen and mariners to be “mindful” of the dangerous conditions, with walkers and sightseers also urged to avoid seafronts and cliff edges.

Schools

Schools in nine counties will be closed on Friday after Met Éireann issued a red wind warning for Cork, Kerry, Clare and Waterford.

A status red weather warning has been issued for Cork, Kerry, Waterford and Clare as Storm Eunice makes its way to Ireland while other counties are also under a Status Orange warning.

Schools have been advised to close where there is an orange snow warning in place - Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon - as well as in Cork, Kerry, Waterford and Clare where there is a red weather warning.

Schools in other counties may open subject to local conditions.

Transport and health services

Bus Éireann and Local Link routes in Cork, Kerry and Clare will be suspended between 1am and 10am. Services in Waterford will be suspended between 2am and 1pm.

Irish Rail will operate during the red warning, provided there is no damage, but people are advised to check for cancellations or delays.

Close attention should be paid to updates from key transport agencies including the National Transport Authority, Road Safety Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Bus Éireann.

Those intending to travel by air or ferry should check directly with flight/ferry operators as to the status in case of service disruption.

Those living in Cork and Kerry have been advised that the adverse weather conditions may result in some disruption to HSE services.

People who are travelling to appointments in these counties are reminded that they should not travel while the Status Red warning is in place. Staff are expecting people to be delayed reaching their appointments and will fully understand.

Currently, no elective inpatient or outpatient appointments or procedures have been cancelled.

The National Ambulance Service is asking people to think carefully before calling an ambulance during the storm but where there is an emergency, personnel will do their best to reach those in greatest need of emergency services.

The HSE has developed a webpage where the public can find local information regarding the availability of services during Storm Eunice. The page can be found here.

Covid-19 testing and vaccination centres in Kerry and Cork will open once the Status Red weather warning has passed.

Day services and appointments at health centres and primary care centres will all go ahead once the weather warning has passed.

Fota Wildlife Park in Cork has said it will close on Friday due to the conditions and for the safety of their visitors as well as animals and staff. 

"We thank you for your patience and understanding," they said.

Storm expected to be 'short and sharp'

Met Éireann's Bonnie Diamond warned there would be wind speeds of 130 kph which could lead to fallen trees, danger to buildings and power lines.

The Red alert for Cork and Kerry was "relatively rare" and was reserved for the most dangerous, severe and impactful weather conditions, she told RTÉ's News at One.

People in red areas should not go outside, cancel trips, should stay away from coastal areas and stay indoors until the storm passes.

Storm Eunice is expected to track over the country tonight, bringing severe and potentially damaging winds, gusting up to 130km/h.

A status yellow wind, rain and snow warning is in place for the entire country from 1am tonight until 3pm Friday and there have been warnings that mass power outages and coastal flooding are possible as a result of the stormy conditions.

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast  this morning Gerry Murphy, a meteorologist at Met Éireann said that the storm will be "short and sharp" and should have passed by Friday afternoon.

"The storm itself will be gone by Friday afternoon. Beyond that then it'll be windy and showery," he said.

Mr Murphy said the southwest of the country will start to see winds pick up early on tonight.

Then throughout the night, further rain, sleet and snow will spread across the country.

The wind will turn very strong overnight, particularly along the south and the west coast, according to Mr Murphy.

"Then those very strong winds will turn to a north-westerly direction, and it'll become extremely strong right across the country..."

 - Additional reporting by the Press Association