Update 23.01.2025 - 4pm
Principal Response Authorities, making up the Local Co-Ordination Group, met today.
Arising from the meeting, the key message to citizens in County Laois is that Storm Éowyn will be a Dangerous, Damaging and Destructive storm event.
Severe winds will give rise to rare and very dangerous conditions across County Laois, late Thursday night until late Friday afternoon.
Following severe wind gusts, significant damage to property, disruption to key public services and very dangerous conditions across the road network are highly likely.
Stay at home and exercise extreme caution for this storm event, and in the aftermath.
Across County Laois, significant dangers will persist for some time after the Weather Warnings have lapsed.
Laois County Council will operate a dedicated Severe Weather Hotline, operational from 5.30am on Friday 24th January.
The Hotline Number is 1800 832 010. Emergency calls should be directed to 999 or 112, in the normal way.
22.01.2025
Laois County Council's Severe Weather Assessment Team convened a meeting this afternoon on foot of a Severe Weather Warning for Wind being issued by Met Éireann.
County Laois is included along with neighbouring counties in a Status Red Wind Warning from 6am on Friday 24.01.2025 until 12pm (noon) on Friday 24.01.2025.
An Orange Wind Warning will also be in place either side of the Red warning and is valid from 2am and will cease at 5pm.
Due to the weather warning, all Laois County Council buildings and facilities will be closed to the public on Friday 24.01.2025 and will re-open on Monday 27.01.2025. This includes the landfill which will also be closed on Saturday 25.01.25.
The public are requested to be prepared and take any required measures in advance of the weather warnings taking effect.
Met Éireann Weather Warning is as follows:
Storm Éowyn: Gale to storm force southwest to west winds will bring severe, damaging and extremely destructive gusts in excess of 130km/h
Impacts:
• 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
Key Public safety for Red Wind Warning from Met Éireann
- Red Warnings: the public are advised to not travel in areas where a red level warning is in place and to shelter in place during these times. Essential services operators will continue to operate services subject to advice from Met Éireann on prevailing local conditions.
- Public are advised to be aware of their local forecast and make decisions accordingly. Please check public transport services in areas where a red or orange level warning is in place noting that public transport operators may curtail services based on local conditions. Event organisers should monitor updates from Met Éireann for the duration of Red Wind Warning.
- Strong winds can make driving conditions hazardous, especially for the more vulnerable road users, e.g., cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and high sided vehicles. Road users should pay particular attention to the risk posed by fallen trees and flying debris.
- People are advised to prepare for the arrival of the storm including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.
- Driving conditions will be hazardous throughout the period of the weather warnings. Travel is not advised during the Red Wind Warning. Never drive through flooded roads, the depth of the water can be deceiving.
- Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.
- 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 www.PowerCheck.ie. In regard to power restoration times.
Members of the public can contact Laois County Council 057 866 4000 during normal office hours after which calls will be transferred to the council’s emergency services number.
Emergency services crews will be on standby to respond to 999 calls and the Local Authority roads crews are available and prepared to respond to issues that may arise on the network when it is safe to do so.
Please note the following emergency contact numbers:
Emergency 999/112
Uisce Éireann 1800 278 278
ESB Networks 1800 372 999
Gas Networks Ireland 1800 205 050