Laois SWAT team meets over dangerous storm

THE Laois Severe Weather Assessment Team (SWAT) convened today, as the county prepares for a dangerous Status Red wind warning this Friday.

Schools and all other educational institutions must close, as destructive Storm Éowyn sweeps across the country.

Red warnings will be in place from 2am on Friday until 3pm on Friday, with gusts in excess of 130kmh expected. Laois is under a Red warning from 6am to 12 noon on Friday.

In an online notice today, the county council said:

‘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 until 12 noon on Friday.

'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.

'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 advice 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 

'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 057 866 400 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.

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 

A Status Red warning is issued when there are rare and very dangerous weather conditions.

Following a meeting of the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG), it was announced that schools, early learning and childcare settings and further and higher education institutions will close in the areas under a Status Red warning.

Employers in those areas should facilitate work from home for all who can do so, while only emergency service workers should be leaving home for work, where directed by their employer.

NECG chairperson Keith Leonard 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.

“During the Red Level wind warnings, the public are advised to shelter in place.