Ireland is bracing for what has been described as one of the most dangerous storms ever seen, with the national weather centre warning of violent winds from 2am on Friday.
Emergency services were on high alert and the country was preparing for a virtual standstill on Friday, with airports, schools, parks and offices to close and public transport cancelled during the peak hours of Storm Éowyn.
Keith Leonard, the chair of the national emergency coordination group, said the storm would be one of the most dangerous storms Ireland has seen. “We expect this storm to be destructive, dangerous and disruptive. We can expect [gusts] greater than 130km/h inland, which is very, very unusual. It is going to be a damaging, dangerous and destructive weather event.”
He said the winds would bring severe conditions, which would constitute a risk to life and property.
The public have been warned to stay at home, to avoid the coast and to have phones and torches fully charged. The Electricity Supply Board has said extensive damage to electricity infrastructure is anticipated and widespread power outages are expected.
Leonard said it was likely that the number of people losing power would top the 385,000 figure from Storm Ophelia in 2017. “Our most important message today is that everybody needs to shelter in place for the duration of all red warnings,” he said.
“We are likely to see significant and widespread power outages, so I would encourage everyone to prepare ahead. Make sure phones, torches and laptops are fully charged. Ensure that there are no loose garden furniture or other items on your property that could cause problems in strong winds.”
Local authorities are encouraging anyone living in mobile homes or other residences with potential structural issues to consider staying with friends or family during the storm.
Donegal county council is offering vouchers to encourage people in those situations who don’t have alternatives to move to a hotel or bed and breakfast.
Met Éireann has advised people to steer clear of the coastline, where force 10 winds are expected. Force 12 winds are expected farther out to sea, from Valentia in County Kerry in the south-west of the country to Erris Head in the north-west of County Mayo.
Eoin Sherlock, Met Éireann’s chief hydrometeorologist, said on Thursday: “The fact that we are in the national emergency coordination group today signifies that this is amongst the most dangerous storms that Ireland will have faced. This at the extreme end of the Atlantic storms.”
The most dangerous recorded storm in Irish history was Hurricane Debbie. This was not an Atlantic storm but a rare tropical cyclone, which slammed into Ireland on 16 September 1961.
