Storm Éowyn has potential to bring tornado-like activity as schools closed and flights cancelled

National Emergency Co-ordination Group group chair Keith Leonard. Picture:Sam Boal/ Collins Photos

Schools have been advised to remain closed for the entire day on Friday ahead of Storm Éowyn as Met Éireann warned there is potentially a "risk for some tornadic activity". 

A number of status red “danger to life” weather warnings have been issued for the entire country as “dangerous and destructive” winds are set to sweep across the country tomorrow.

The Department of Education has instructed primary and post-primary schools to remain closed on Friday, even after the red weather warning has expired in their area.

This is to take into account that safety checks may be needed to assess any potential damage, according to a message sent to schools by officials this morning.

"While the red weather warnings are expected to end between 10am and 3pm on Friday in different counties, schools will remain closed on Friday," it said. 

"Travel is not possible during the red warning period. After the red warning expires, safety checks may be needed to assess whether any damage has occurred and to ensure the safety of school communities, and parents and the school community would need time to prepare to return to school."

"Because of these factors, concerns about safe transport and the unpredictable nature of the red warnings, the Department recognises that it is not possible or practical for schools in red warning areas to open on Friday."

It comes as the public has been told to brace for one of the most severe storms that Ireland has ever seen, with predictions that the number of households without power could top the record 385,000 figure from Storm Ophelia in 2017.

Over 40 flights departing from Dublin Airport have been cancelled, as strong winds are to be expected Friday morning.

Dublin Airport said that delays to flights and further cancellations are possible.

"Passengers looking to re-book cancelled flights are encouraged to do so online," they wrote on X.

Severe, damaging, and extremely destructive gusts of wind, in excess of 130km/h, will arrive in the early hours of tomorrow, Met Éireann has warned.

The status red weather warning has been issued for all coasts from midnight tonight, with storm force 11 winds possible.

On land, status red wind warnings have been issued for: 

• Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford, with the warning coming into effect from 2am to 10am on Friday;
• Clare and Galway, with the warning coming into effect from 3am to 11am;
• Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo, with the warning coming into effect from 4am to 12pm;
• Donegal, with the warning coming into effect from 7am to 2pm;
• Cavan, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Roscommon and Tipperary with the warning coming into effect from 6am to 11am.

A separate status orange wind warning has been issued for the entire country from midnight to 4pm tomorrow after which the warning drops back to status yellow until 11pm.

And a status yellow rain warning has been issued for Cork, Kerry, and Waterford, with Met Éireann forecasting heavy rain, leading to localised flooding from 9pm tonight until 5am tomorrow.

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) met on Thursday and afterwards warned that the storm will be "damaging, dangerous and destructive".

NECG chair Keith Leonard told a press conference that "the fact we're here in person today talking in terms of red level signifies that this is among the most dangerous storms that Ireland will have faced".

Met Éireann's Eoin Sherlock said all counties are expected to see wind speeds reach, or possibly exceed 130km/h. He noted that some counties, such as those in the Midlands, will not have seen these kinds of speeds before.

The storm was like a "spinning top," he said. Having initially been off the coast of the US, it moved across the Atlantic at speed by a jet stream.

Mr Sherlock said: "It's got incredible intensity and we're in the firing line."

Mr Shelock said there is also a risk of tornado-like activity adding that it was something the NEGC would be "keeping an eye on".

Due to the instability as the system comes through, there potentially is the risk for some tornadic activity.

In terms of workplaces, Mr Leonard said that the advice that the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is telling employers is that they have a "duty of care to employees which trumps commercial activity”.    

Sgt Liam Geraghty of An Garda Siochána said that the people of Ireland would need to be "a community" in preparation.

"Check on isolated family, friends and neighbours to ensure they are prepared."

The Defence Forces will be on standby to respond to any requests made by the NECG, Cl Declan Hanley said, adding: "We will deploy if required."

Meanwhile, An Post has said there will be no postal deliveries or collections on Friday due to the storm and post offices will be closed. Subject to local road conditions and power supplies, it is planning to run letter and parcel deliveries nationwide on Saturday and Post Offices will open as normal from 9am to 1pm.

A spokesperson said that all social welfare benefit payments usually payable at the Post Office on Friday will be available on Saturday and next week.

Earlier, Met Éireann, urged people to "batten down the hatches" during the storm, warning that "all areas need to take great care" during the entirety of the status red alert.

Status red wind warnings have been issued for the entire country ahead of Storm Éowyn. Picture: Met Éireann

Forecaster Gerry Murphy told RTÉ's Morning Ireland: "We won't know if it's the most severe storm for the event. The key thing to remember is that it is a significant and major storm.

"There are red warnings in place, which does mean batting down the hatches. What it means is that people are to take complete and utmost care with regard to the storm.

"So the advice and messaging is really that today, you prepare for a significant storm overnight and tomorrow. And then, really, from midnight tonight, right the way through the daytime tomorrow, you basically have everything cancelled.

"Stay at home, stay out of the storm and stay safe, because it will clear away to the north as we go through tomorrow evening."

Mr Murphy added that the storm would move "rapidly" across from the southwest of the country. He said heavy rain would be falling for a time in the south and could lead to localised flooding with the strong wind, while falls of sleet and transient snow would be a risk on high ground in the north west.

"People need to be aware that that sleety weather, as the storm approaches, will reduce visibility as well. So it's primarily wind, but people need to be aware of those other factors as well."

Motorists in Cork have been warned that an elevated and exposed section of the busy M8 Cork to Dublin motorway will close overnight due to the storm. The Blackwater Viaduct at Fermoy in North Cork will close to all traffic in both directions during the status red weather alert.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, has confirmed that the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme will be available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected Storm Éowyn.

The scheme prevents hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are unable to meet costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair.