23rd January 2025
A red-level weather warning has been extended nationwide to all 26 counties in the Republic of Ireland for Friday. Met Éireann has warned that Storm Éowyn will bring life-threatening conditions, with extremely destructive gusts exceeding 130km/h.
Based on this, the National Emergency Coordination Group has advised that schools in red warning areas will close for the duration of the red warning.
The Department of Education has today issued an official notice, advising closures in all counties due to the severity of the weather conditions.
While the red weather warnings are expected to end between 10am and 3pm on Friday in different counties, schools will remain closed on Friday. 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.
Red Weather Warning Details
Gale to storm-force southerly winds, becoming westerly, will bring severe, damaging, and extremely destructive gusts exceeding 130km/h.
Expected Impacts:
- Danger to life
- Extremely dangerous travelling conditions
- Unsafe working conditions
- Disruption and cancellations to transport services
- Many fallen trees
- Significant and widespread power outages
- Impacts on communication networks
- Event cancellations
- Structural damage
- Wave overtopping
- Coastal flooding in low-lying and exposed areas
Advice for Members
Members are advised to follow Met Éireann updates and heed local authority advice regarding safety measures. Travel should only be undertaken if absolutely necessary, and caution is urged in the face of these unprecedented conditions.
Stay safe, and for further updates, check official websites and social media channels for updates.
In carrying out any safety checks of buildings and facilities, school authorities should take into account the current and expected weather conditions, any damage that might have been caused to school buildings overnight or at any time during the storm, and the safety of the school community.
In this context, schools should stay updated on the latest weather warnings, which are available on national and local news bulletins.
Retirement Planning Webinar
In anticipation of the expected conditions and the likely impact on connectivity for members around the country, the Retirement Planning webinar scheduled to take place tomorrow (24 January) is now postponed. A new date will be identified and notified in early course.