Storm Éowyn: Status Red Wind warning for Galway

map of ireland with most counties in red

Met Eireann has issued a Status Red Wind warning for Galway

Storm Éowyn: Gale to storm force southerly winds becoming westerly will bring severe, damaging and extremely destructive gusts in excess of 130km/h.

Impacts:
• Danger to life
• Extremely dangerous travelling conditions
• Unsafe working conditions
• Disruption and cancellations to transport
• Many fallen trees
• Significant and widespread power outages
• Impacts to communications networks
• Cancellation of event
• Structural damage
• Wave overtopping
• Coastal flooding in low-lying and exposed areas

Valid: 03:00 Friday 24/01/2025 to 12:00 Friday 24/01/2025

Issued: 14:47 Wednesday 22/01/2025

Met Eireann advises to public ‘to shelter in place’ during red weather alerts.

 

A status Orange: Wind warning is also in place for Ireland. 

Valid: 02:00 Friday 24/01/2025 to 17:00 Friday 24/01/2025

Issued: 08:34 Wednesday 22/01/2025

Updated: 09:44 Wednesday 22/01/2025

 

Please see Met.ie for the most current updates in relation to these weather warnings. 

 

Local Actions:

The Galway City Council Severe Weather Advisory Team has met, and is reviewing potential impacts and actions. 

This weather event is expected to be significant in terms of impacts during, and after, the red weather alert. 

Interagency liaison is on-going between An Garda Siochana, the HSE, the Fire Service, the Civil Defence, Galway City Council, Galway County Council, and the Port of Galway. 

Car Parks Closed:

Due to potential coastal over topping, the following car parks will be closed from Thursday 23 January 2025:

  • Ballyloughane (local access only)
  • Silverstrand
  • Tofts Car Park, Salthill
  • Salthill Prom car park

Sandbags

Sandbags will be available on Thursday 23 January at:

  • Spanish Arch
  • Fire station, Father Griffin Road
  • Seapoint, beside the Aquarium in Salthill 

 

Further updates will issue. 

 

Key Public Safety Messages:

  • During the Red Level wind warnings, the public are advised to shelter in place.

  • Orange warnings: the public are limit travel to essential in areas where an orange level warning is in place. Essential services operators will continue to operate services subject to advice from Met Éireann on prevailing local conditions.

  • The forecasted winds have the capacity to bring severe, destructive and damaging winds which will constitute a risk to life and property.

  • High seas: the public are advised to stay away from coastal areas during this period. The Irish Coast Guard are appealing to people to “Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry”.

  • There is a potential for tidal flooding in coastal areas. In addition to this, the Storm Éowyn may also bring localised heavy showers, which in turn may lead to localised flooding.

  • The Electricity network is expected to be severely impacted, the public are advised to prepare for the arrival of the storm including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.

  • The public are advised not to travel during the Red Warnings

  • Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.

  • ESB Networks is highlighting the dangers posed by fallen live wires and is advising the public and the emergency services to stay away from these 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 for information on power restoration times.

  • Uisce Éireann customers can check www.Water.ie and social media channels for updates. Get in touch with any issues or concerns through the 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. The public can also sign up online to a free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies - see www.water.ie