Cork on red alert as Storm Éowyn set to bring strong winds

Wind strength not seen since 1961 is expected in parts of Cork this Friday, with a climate scientist warning people to expect a “once-in-a-generation” storm.

A status red wind warning was issued yesterday afternoon for Cork, Clare, Kerry, and Limerick from 2am to 10am on Friday by Met Éireann, and this was later upgraded to a red alert for the entire country, at varying times as the storm progresses across the island.

While the status red wind warning for Cork ends at 10am tomorrow, a status orange wind warning will stay in force until 5pm.

A status yellow rain warning will be in force in Cork, Kerry, and Waterford from 9pm on Thursday until 2am on Friday. The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) advised that schools, early learning and childcare settings, and higher education institutions in red-level warning areas should close for the duration of the red warning as widespread disruption to public and other services is anticipated.

Power supplies are also likely to be impacted, and the group’s chairman, Keith Leonard, has said that it is likely that the number of homes to lose electricity could top the 385,000 left without power during Storm Ophelia in 2017.

He added that people could be without electricity for an extended period of time as crews will be under pressure from weather conditions as well as having to reach isolated areas and carry out repairs at multiple locations.

Severe Weather Assessment teams for both Cork City Council and Cork County Council had separate meetings yesterday and statements released by both local authorities contained strong warnings for people, advising that Storm Éowyn posed a danger to life.

Warnings

In the warning statements, both councils have advised people not to go out during the period of the red warning and to avoid unnecessary journeys during the orange warning.

There is also a danger that structural damage may be caused to buildings by the storm and people should stay away from exposed quays, coasts, rivers, and lakes, the councils have advised.

Founder of Ireland’s Weather Channel and climate scientist at UCC Cathal Nolan told The Echo: “Throughout the county, winds are set to be gusting from 130-150km/h, and in some western parts the gusts could go to 180km/h.

“Those are really phenomenally strong winds, the likes of which we are not accustomed to. They are set to be stronger than Storm Ophelia in 2017. West and North Cork are set to bear the brunt, but all across Cork people can expect status red level winds.

“Winds during Storm Ophelia were 130-140km/h, so if they’re another 30km/h higher than that again, it could lead to widespread damage.”

Mr Nolan added: “This is a particularly unusual storm, 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.

“The strongest wind ever recorded in Ireland was 181km/h during hurricane Debbie in 1961 — there seems to be a growing chance we could top that on Friday morning.

“We would expect to see significant power outages right across the county and 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 there’s potential for structural damage — the winds will definitely be strong enough to damage buildings.

Significant weather event

“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.”

Independent Ireland councillor for West Cork Danny Collins told The Echo: “We’re just hoping it might blow over and we can avoid the worst of it. There was a lot of damage caused by Ophelia, and they’re saying this is going to be the worst wind since 1961.

“I’m urging people, if they have any stuff that could take off, like trampolines, to put them away, and to stay home, because the storm is expected to cause a lot of damage.”

In an advisory note sent to priests in the Diocese of Cloyne on Wednesday, diocescan spokesperson Fr Jim Moore said that the Bishop of Cloyne, Dr Willim Crean, had ordered all churches in the diocese to shut on Thursday evening and to remain closed until the status red wind warning expiration. All Masses on Friday morning have been cancelled.