AS STORM Éowyn heads towards Ireland, schools across Limerick will close to stay safe from dangerous high-speed winds, while the Council has warned people to stay indoors.
Storm Éowyn has forced Met Éireann to issue a Status Red wind warning for the entire country, coming into effect for Limerick at 2am this Friday morning, lasting until 10am.
As a result of the Status Red warning, all schools across the county will be closed tomorrow (Friday), while workplaces are being advised to make arrangements for their employees to work from home where possible.
Met Éireann is warning potential for danger to life as part of the storm, which could see winds of up to 130 km/h batter the county.
Limerick City and County Council have said that people should shelter in place for the duration of the Status Red warning.
“Limerick City and County Council has a duty of care to its staff and will not be putting their safety at risk. Crews will be on standby, however they will not respond to emergencies while a Red level weather warning is in effect,” a Council spokesman said.
The clearing of roads and footpaths will only be done once it is safe to do so, the spokesman added.
Limerick City and County Council have established an incident control room, to ensure a co-ordinated response during the storm.
Members of the public can call 061 556000 at any time to report fallen trees, blocked roads and similar incidents.
The Council’s Homeless Action Team has moved to ensure that there is no one on the streets for the duration of the warning, saying that additional accommodation will be put in place.
Homeless people can also present at Temporary Emergency Provision at Edenvilla, Lord Edward Street, at 9pm, a service run by Novas in collaboration with the Homeless Action Team, with the Council advising that there is enough emergency beds to meet demand.
Shannon Airport has also warned of risks of delays on Friday as a result of Storm Éowyn, but said that the airport will continue to monitor the situation.
“Storm Éowyn could lead to some flight disruption on Friday and we would advise passengers to contact their airlines directly for information on their flight.
“Our team will continue to monitor the situation as it develops and are engaging with the relevant authorities to ensure a coordinated response,” a Shannon Airport spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also advised people who are due to fly to keep an eye on their social media platforms for up-to-date news.
Gas Networks Ireland has suspended works in all counties affected by the Status Red warning, but said that emergency repairs would continue to be carried out.
The utility said that customer appointments scheduled for the duration of the Status Red warning on Friday would be rescheduled, and that their customer care team would be in touch to arrange this.
The utility said that despite the warning that is in place, there is no anticipated interruption to gas services as a result of Storm Éowyn.
Meanwhile, An Post have said that no post in Limerick will be delivered on Friday.
Post offices across the Treaty County will remain closed for the duration of the red warning, but will reopen when it is safe to do so, with deliveries hoped to resume on Saturday.
The HSE Mid West has also warned that all planned outpatient appointments have been postponed for Friday, following the national ‘stay at home’ alert.
The health service said that the emergency department at University Hospital Limerick and the maternity emergency unit at the University Maternity Hospital Limerick will remain open 24/7 for people in need of urgent care.
The injury units at St John’s, Nenagh, and Ennis hospitals will also be open from 8am to 8pm.
The HSE said patients will be contacted as soon as possible about a reschedule date for any cancelled appointments.
