Met Éireann has issued a Status Red Weather Warning for all of Ireland with warning of possible "danger to life", with the public advised to shelter in place.
The Status Red Wind warning for Waterford will be in effect from 02:00am to 10:00am Friday, January 24th and will bring gale force winds with dangerous, damaging and destructive gusts in excess of 130km per hour.
A Status Orange Wind warning will be in place from midnight (00:00) to 16:00pm on Friday, January 24th and a Status Yellow Rain warning will be in place from 21:00pm Thursday, January 23rd to 05:00am on Friday, January 24th.
The impacts of Storm Éowyn 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 event
Structural damage
Wave overtopping
Coastal flooding in low-lying and exposed areas
Waterford City and County Council’s severe weather assessment team convened again this morning and is advising the public that Storm Éowyn will be a dangerous, destructive, nationwide multi-hazard event.
Gabriel Hynes, Senior Engineer with Waterford City and County Council has urged the public to exercise extreme caution during the duration of this weather warning.
"Storm Éowyn is an extremely dangerous, damaging and destructive storm and will track across the whole of the country, bringing gale force winds and gusts from the early hours of Friday morning through to Friday evening.
“We would urge the public to heed all public safety advice, to not travel and shelter in place during the duration of the Status Red weather warning. The strong winds will lead to fallen trees, branches, and structural debris on the roads, making journeys extremely dangerous.
“With coastal water levels high there is also a risk of wave overtopping, and the public is advised to stay away from all coastal areas and adhere to the messaging from the Irish Coast Guard to stay back, stay high and stay dry. There is also potential for localised and spot flooding.”
Waterford City and County Council’s severe weather assessment team will continue to monitor the situation and Council ground crews are on stand-by to put in place mitigation measures.
However, Council outdoor personnel will not operate during the duration of the Status Red warning and once the warning has passed will be on site throughout the city and county as soon as it is safe to do so.
Waterford City and County Council's Integrated Homeless Services Severe Weather Protocol is also in operation, with extra bed capacity available at McGwire House. The Outreach Team from Waterford Integrated Homeless Services has been in contact with any known rough sleepers to advise them of the shelter arrangements.
Members of the public can contact Waterford City and County Council’s Customer Services Desks on 0818 10 20 20 from 09:00am to 22:00pm on Friday, January 24th after which calls will be transferred to the Council’s emergency services number.
On Saturday, January 25th, Waterford City and County Council’s Customer Services Desks will phone lines will be in operation from 09:00am to 13:00pm.
Emergency contact numbers:
Emergency 999/112
Uisce Éireann 1800 278 278
ESB Networks 1800 372 999
Gas Networks Ireland 1800 205 050
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