Wind strength not seen since 1961 expected in Cork as red weather warning issued
Wind strength not seen since 1961 is expected in West Cork this Friday morning, with a climate scientist warning people to expect a “once in a generation” storm. Picture Denis Minihane.
Due to the extreme nature of Storm Éowyn and the threat of multi-hazard weather events on Friday, the National Emergency Coordination Group has advised that all primary and post-primary schools in red warning areas will close for the duration of the red warning.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said all schools should keep up to date with the current weather warnings, and in particular any change in the status warning for their area.
"Primary and post-primary schools in areas affected by a weather warning should remain vigilant, and keep themselves apprised of any hourly and other updates from Met Éireann, and from their local authorities, local radio, and the principal response agencies.
In all events, and if in any doubt, schools should err on the side of caution," said the spokesperson.
Schools are empowered to make closure decisions if, in their judgment, in the interests of the safety of the school community, it is prudent to do so.
"Any and all decisions about school closures should be informed by, as well as prevailing and predicted conditions, any damage that might have been caused to school buildings overnight or at any time during the storm, and the interests of the safety of the school community," said teh spokesperson.
"The Department of Education wishes to remind all schools of the useful advice contained in the Government’s ‘Be Winter Ready’ campaign. The Department will continue to monitor the situation as it progresses and will follow any advice from the National Emergency Coordination Group."
The organising committee of the Cork Person of the Year Awards has announced the postponement of the annual awards lunch, originally scheduled for Friday at The Metropole Hotel, due to the weather warnings issued in relation to Storm Éowyn.
The decision was made in response to Met Éireann's weather advisory for the Cork region.
Awards organiser Manus O'Callaghan said the safety of guests and participants was an "absolute priority."
"While we regret any inconvenience this may cause, we believe this is the most responsible decision, given the current weather warnings related to Storm Éowyn," he said.
The event will now take place on Friday, February 28 at Cork International Hotel, Cork Airport Business Park.
The status red wind warning for Cork is in place from 2am to 10am Friday morning. Similar status red warnings have now been applied to the majority of the country.
This will be followed by a status orange wind warning, in place for the whole of Ireland from 2am to 5pm Friday, while a status yellow rain warning has been issued for Cork, Kerry and Waterford from 9pm Thursday to 3am Friday.
A nation-wide Orange Wind Warning, in addition to the previous Red Warnings, as well as a Yellow Rain Warning for Cork, Kerry and Waterford are maintained.
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 22, 2025
Please contact the graphic below for additional information.#StormÉowyn pic.twitter.com/Gt1OfwNNAF
From 9pm to midnight on Thursday night/Friday morning, Southeasterly winds will reach gale force eight on Irish coastal waters from Carnsore Point to Mizen Head to Erris Head, leading to a yellow marine warning.
A Cork city councillor has called for sand bags to be distributed to homes and businesses ahead of the red weather warning for Cork on Friday.
Labour councillor Laura Harmon told “I’ve written to Cork City Council executive to request that high risk homes and businesses be contacted by the council and sent adequate flood protection sand bags.
“Houses in Riverview Estate, Clashduv Estate and surrounds were badly affected by flooding from the Glasheen River in 2023 and I am really worried this will happen again, as are the residents. Similarly, businesses in the city centre and areas around Douglas Street need to be supported.
“Ultimately, we need a long-term tailored flood prevention and preparedness plan for Cork as this will be a cyclical issue, compounded by changes in climate.”
Cork County Council is urging people to take action to protect themselves and their property ahead of a Status Red wind warning for Cork which comes into effect during the early hours of Friday morning.
The public is being advised to stay indoors and not to travel during the warnings, as Met Éireann is advising that Storm Éowyn has the capacity to bring severe winds which will constitute a risk to life and property.
A Status Orange wind warning will then be in place until 5pm on Friday evening. Heavy rain leading to localised flooding is also forecast for Cork with a status Yellow Rain warning in place from 9pm on Thursday night until 3am on Friday morning.
Cork County Council’s severe weather assessment team convened this afternoon to plan for the severe and destructive storm.
Council crews have been deployed to inspect key high-risk areas and will continue to monitor the situation throughout the period. Pumping arrangements will be in place in known problem locations.
The public is advised to stay away from coastal areas during this period.
The Irish Coast Guard is appealing to people to “Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry”. There is the potential for tidal flooding in coastal areas.
The electricity network is expected to be severely impacted; the public is advised to prepare for the arrival of the storm including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.
ESB Networks is highlighting the dangers posed by fallen live wires and is advising the public and the emergency services to stay away from these fallen cables and to report such cases to it immediately.
ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor https://www.esbnetworks.ie/power-outages
in regards to power restoration times.
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.
Issues can be reported overnight on Thursday and throughout Friday to the Council’s Emergency Number (021) 480 0048.
In the event of an emergency call 999 or 112 and request the Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Gardaí or Irish Coastguard as appropriate, the council said, adding: “DO NOT assume others will do this.”
Weather updates are available at https://www.met.ie.
Cork County Council will continue to provide updates on our website and across the Council’s social media channels @Corkcoco.
The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) met today, and strongly advised the public to keep up to date with Met Eireann forecasts and weather warnings over the coming days.
They warned that people in the areas affected by red warnings should stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and take action to protect themselves and their properties.
Schools, early learning and childcares settings and further and higher education institutions in red level warning areas will close for the duration of the red warning, widespread disruption to public and other services is to be anticipated.
The NECG have also advised that employers in red warning areas should facilitate working from home for all employees who can do so. Only emergency service workers should be leaving home for work, where directed by their employer.
Keith Leonard, chair of the NECG, said: “Storm Éowyn is going to be a very dangerous and destructive weather event. The forecasted winds have the capacity to bring severe, damaging winds which will constitute a risk to life and property.
“Where Orange warnings are in place, the public are also advised to limit travel to essential journeys only. An orange wind warning should not be underestimated – it can bring extremely strong gusts and can also pose a threat to life and property.
“I would urge people to stay away from coastal areas during this period and to heed the appeal from the Irish Coast Guard for people to ‘Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry’.
“It’s also important to remember that even after the storm has passed, there is a strong possibility of fallen trees and other debris so drivers are also urged to take care in the aftermath of the storm.”
Storm Éowyn will bring gale force winds, including severe, damaging and destructive gusts of up to 130km/h widely, with even higher gusts possible.
They advised that likely impacts will include: extremely dangerous travelling conditions, cancellation of events, wave overtopping, coastal flooding in low lying and exposed areas, unsafe working conditions, fallen trees, significant and widespread power outages, structural damage, disruption and cancellations to transport The NECG is continuing to liaise with Met Éireann and monitor the situation to coordinate an appropriate response.
On the ground, Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams (SWATs) will continue to monitor conditions locally and emergency response teams will be in place, ready to respond where and when necessary.
Closures The Department of Transport has advised the public that: “Public transport does not operate in a red warning.” This means transport across Cork will likely be cancelled on Friday morning.
Cork County Council advised that due to Storm Éowyn, the forecasted wind speeds at Dursey Cable Car require restrictions on travel.
On Thursday the, January 23, the cable car will be open to islanders only, and on Friday teh cable car will be closed to all traffic.
Reopening will be subject to recorded wind speeds and if necessary, a post storm inspection.
MTU Campuses will be closed Friday morning, and as a result, all MTU campuses will remain closed until 12 noon on Friday 24.
The university advises any non-essential activity be cancelled until 5pm and working from home where possible, and apprenticeship classes are cancelled for Friday 24.
This will be a very significant (potentially historic) event across the entire country, and MTU asks everyone to take good care.
WEATHER WARNING: MTU Campuses Closed Friday Morning - Friday 24 Jan 2025.
— Munster Technological University (@MTU_ie) January 22, 2025
Met Eireann have issued a Red wind warning for Friday 24 Jan from 3am to 10am followed by an Orange warning until 5pm. As a result, all MTU campuses will remain closed until 12 noon on Friday 24th. We… pic.twitter.com/NWQe8oJMUL
Wind strength not seen since 1961 is expected in West Cork this Friday morning, with a climate scientist warning people to expect a “once in a generation” storm.
Founder of Ireland's Weather Channel and climate scientist at UCC Cathal Nolan told : “Throughout the county, winds are set to be gusting from 130 to 150 km/h, and in some western parts the gusts could go to 180km/h.
“West Cork is set to be one of the worst impacted areas – winds there during Storm Ophelia were 130 to 140km/h, so if they’re another 30km/h higher than that again, it could lead to widespread damage.
“West Cork and North Cork are set to bear the brunt, but all across Cork people can expect status red level winds.”
Mr Nolan added: “This is a particularly unusual storm on a number of counts, the central pressure could dip down as low 933 to 932 hectopascals, which would make it the deepest area of low pressure ever recorded in Ireland.
“We would expect to see significant power outages right across the county and the country, and it may be some time before some people are reconnected.
“There’s also a likelihood that a significant number of trees will be brought down, transport will be quite severely impacted and a potential for structural damage – the winds will definitely be strong enough to damage buildings, so the recommendation is to stay at home for much of Friday morning.”
He added: “I want to emphasise just how significant a weather event this is, and how important it is to pay attention to the warnings. This is not your typical Atlantic storm, this is something that occurs once in a generation.”
Met Éireann have issued a status red wind warning for Cork and 21 other counties from 3am on Friday until 10am on Friday.
It will be downgraded to orange after 10am, and will remain in place until 5pm on Friday evening.
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