Watch: Fallen tree during Storm Éowyn forces evacuation for North Cork family

A family in Killavullen in North Cork had to be rescued by the Cork County Fire Service at the height of Storm Éowyn, after a tree crashed into their home.

Speaking to The Neil Prendeville Show on Cork’s Red FM, Angela Ducey described how a tree fell through an upstairs bedroom and onto their landing, waking her family up in the middle of the night. The incident happened at 12:30am on Friday morning.

Ms Ducey’s 17-year-old daughter Áine has a form of epilepsy, which means she has between 20-40 seizures every day. Angela and and her husband Rafal were concerned that if they lost electricity, they would not be able to bring her back downstairs.

“I slept in a single bed downstairs with her and my husband was on the sofa, so the three of us stayed downstairs. So at 12:30am, it was for all of the world like a bomb had hit the house and the house shook.

“My husband was gone up the stairs and he said Angela, don’t go up there because is a tree after coming through the roof.”

Ms Ducey went on to explain that the upstairs of her house was destroyed.

Due to the red weather warning that was in place, the emergency services were delayed travelling to her home.

Ms Ducey said the council later determined the family should be evacuated and they arranged for the fire brigade to collect them.

She said after explaining to the council and that her daughter needed special care, the family were rescued and taken to the Hibernian Hotel in Mallow.

“I have house insurance and I am hoping that I am covered,” she said.