Meath Co Co issues advice on staying safe during storm Éowyn
Meath County Council has advised public to stay safe during Storm Éowyn
Met Éireann has issued a Status Red Wind Warning for Meath valid from 6am to 11am on Friday 24th January in advance of Storm Éowyn making landfall in the county.
The local authority has advised the public not to travel during a Status Red Weather Warning and to stay indoors and stay safe.
In a statement, Meath Co Co said that severe, damaging and extremely destructive gusts in excess of 130km/h, which can constitute a threat to life and property, are expected and that fallen trees, debris and power outages are likely.
Aside from the damaging winds, there is a potential for localised heavy showers, which in turn may lead to localised flooding.
A Meath Co Co spokesperson said:
“For people in the Laytown/Bettystown Municipal District, tidal flooding in coastal areas is also possible. Please do not travel in coastal areas as wave over-topping due to on-shore winds is likely.
“For those living near the coast, the Irish Coast Guard has made a nationwide appeal for people to “Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry.
"The electricity network is expected to be severely impacted so the public are advised to prepare for the arrival of the storm including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communications.
"Please also charge any battery packs and devices and ensure there are torches accessible with plenty of batteries in the household.
"Whether it's a trampoline, lawn furniture or wheelie bins at home or small machinery at a business, building site or farm etc, please make sure all large items are secured."
Meath County Council crews will not be mobilised during a Red Weather event but there are plans in place to coordinate an effective, efficient response once it is safe to do so.
In an emergency, please call 999/112.
The ESB is advising the public and the emergency services to stay away from 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 regarding power restoration times.
Uisce Éireann customers can check their website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via their 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. The public can also sign up online to their free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies - see www.water.ie.
If you smell gas, call Gas Networks Ireland’s emergency number at 1800 20 50 50.