Mayo fears the worst as Storm Éoywn to rip across entire county

The latest information provided from the UK met office shows the "historic" storm landing in Galway Bay and making its way north through county Mayo.

It appears Mayo will suffer the brunt of the Atlantic storm force winds which are expected reach up to 200km/h throughout tonight.

Typically coastal areas are to be impacted most severely but the storm looks set to bring gusts across the entire province.

Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather has provided up to date information on his social media channels and he is tracking the storm online.

Storm chasers from the US, who track, follow and collate date from American hurricanes have also landed in the west of Ireland to pursue the frightening weather event expected to be at its peak tonight at 3 a.m.

"Do not go outside during event"

Many business and banks across the county will be closed tomorrow morning, as well as schools and recreational facilities.

The Director of Communications with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has warned that no one should be travelling anywhere during the Red weather warning.

Sean O'Neill told RTÉ Radio One: "Our emergency crews are ready and we are prepped. Everyone is genuinely concerned about the level of high winds.

"Do not, I repeat, do not go out during this event," he said.

Mr O'Neill urged people to be patient after the event has passed.

It will take the weekend, if not longer, to clear he said.

He added: "Don't go rushing out at all, because there will be crews dealing with materials that are on the road networks, especially at the local authority level, where you have regional and local roads, where trees and debris will be everywhere so we need everyone to be patient, this is going to take the weekend, if not more."

Statement by An Garda Siochána

Storm Éowyn is a dangerous, damaging and destructive weather event with potential serious risk to life and injury for people who do not follow safety advice.

Met Éireann has issued a Status Red Wind Warning across the entire country commencing in the early hours of Friday.

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) is coordinating a national response to the Status Red weather warnings.

Red warnings are issued for Friday 24th January 2025 -

02:00hrs – 10:00hrs Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford

03:00hrs – 11:00hrs Clare, Galway

04:00hrs – 12:00md Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo

06:00hrs – 11:00hrs Cavan, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Roscommon, Tipperary

07:00hrs – 14:00hrs Donegal

An Garda Síochána warns all members of the public that a Status Red severe weather warning means ‘shelter in place’.

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.

Sea conditions and waves will be dangerous. Do not approach coastlines; Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry.

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.

A Status Orange Wind Warning is also in place for the entire country from 00:00mn to 16:00hrs Friday 24th January 2025.

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’.

'Stay indoors during Status Red alert' - Mayo County Council advises

With a status red warning in effect for County Mayo from 4 a.m. on Friday until midday on Friday, Mayo County Council's emergency response team have met to put in place arrangements where possible for this significant weather event.

Crews in each of the Municipal Districts are carrying out works in preparation for the forecasted strong gusty northwest winds potentially exceeding 130km/h that storm Éowyn will bring.

A statement by the authority outlined: "Our Local Authority roads crews are on standby to respond to issues that may arise but only when it is safe to do so after the expiration of the red weather warning. .

The public are reminded to stay indoors for the duration of the red warning.

The public are also asked to be mindful that a Status Orange Wind Warning will also be in effect for Mayo from 12 a.m. on Friday until 4 p.m. on Friday and to be conscious that the impacts of the storm may take some time to be addressed.

"Strong winds may lead to fallen trees, branches and debris on the roads making journeys extremely hazardous

"As a result of the weather warnings in place, and in the interest of health and safety of staff and customers, all Offices of Mayo County Council will remain closed on Friday January 24.

"Staff of the local authority will be working remotely and will deal with calls and emails. All updates relating to Storm Éowyn will be posted on our website www.mayo.ie and our social media channels."

Met Éireann are advising that Storm Éowyn will potentially bring gale to storm force southerly winds becoming westerly with extreme, damaging, and destructive gusts more than 130km/h.

The impacts of this significant weather event can 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; Wave overtopping; Coastal flooding in low-lying and exposed areas.

Precautions

Stay Indoors: During the Red Level wind warnings, the public are advised to shelter in place. The forecasted winds have the capacity to bring severe, destructive, and damaging winds which will constitute a risk to life and property. During the Orange Warning the public are advised to limit travel as much as possible.

High Seas: The public are advised to stay away from coastal areas during this period. The Irish Coast Guard are appealing to people to “Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry."

Flooding: There is a potential for tidal flooding in coastal areas. In addition to this, the Storm Éowyn may also bring localised heavy showers, which in turn may lead to localised flooding.

Electricity: The electricity network is expected to be severely impacted; the public are advised to prepare for the arrival of the storm including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.

The public will find updates on all Mayo County Council and Mayo.ie social media channels and on www.mayo.ie