Schools to close as Laois gets RED storm warning

SCHOOLS in Laois are set to close this Friday, when the county will be under a Status Red wind warning as destructive Storm Éowyn sweeps across the country.

The alert for Laois was upgraded from Status Orange to Status Red by Met Éireann at 3.10pm this afternoon, the highest possible weather alert.

Almost all counties were designated Red, with the exception of four southeast counties – Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford. (UPDATE: By 5pm, ALL counties were given a Status Red alert).

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.

A Status Red warning indicates conditions that may pose a danger to life with extremely dangerous travelling conditions, unsafe working conditions, widespread power outages, structural damage and wave overtopping. 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) today, 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.

“Where Orange warnings are in place, the public are also advised to limit travel to essential journeys only. An orange wind warning should not be underestimated – it can bring extremely strong gusts and can also pose a threat to life and property.

“I would urge people to stay away from coastal areas during this period and to heed the appeal from the Irish Coast Guard for people to ‘Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry’.

“It’s also important to remember that even after the storm has passed, there is a strong possibility of fallen trees and other debris so drivers are also urged to take care in the aftermath of the storm.”