Ireland

How will Storm Éowyn impact Cork? What to expect during Met Éireann’s danger to life weather warning

The council has asked members of the public not to go outside while Met Éireann’s red warning is in place in the city

Storm Éowyn is expected to bring intense gusts to Cork on Friday morning with people asked not to leave their house if possible. Cars pass waves crashing over a wall into the road in Youghal, Co Cork during a recent storm. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Storm Éowyn is expected to bring intense gusts to Cork on Friday morning with people asked not to leave their house if possible. Cars pass waves crashing over a wall into the road in Youghal, Co Cork during a recent storm. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Olivia Kelleher
Thu Jan 23 2025 - 12:12

Cork City Council’s severe weather plan has been activated to prepare for the potential impact of Storm Éowyn.

A red weather warning comes in to effect in Cork from 2am on Friday and remains in effect until 10am. A status orange warning will then be in force until 5pm. A status yellow rain warning has been issued for Cork from 9pm on Thursday to 2am on Friday.

The council has asked members of the public not to go outside while the red warning is in place and not to make unnecessary journeys during the period of the orange warning.

[ Live Storm Éowyn updates: Red alert extended to full island of Ireland with public transport cancelled on Friday ]

“If you must travel, take care when doing so, as conditions may be hazardous and there may be debris on roads,” it said.

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“Take care as structural damage may have occurred to buildings. Stay away from exposed quays, coasts, rivers and lakes. Stay away from any fallen electricity lines or trees.

“Take measures to secure any loose outdoor items such as temporary structures, parasols, trampolines, etc and secure any construction sites.”

Transport for Ireland said public transport, including bus and train services, will not be operating while the status red warning is in place.

“Services in the hours before and after the red warning takes effect are also likely to be severely impacted,” it said.

“We are urging customers not to undertake any travel without checking that services are operational. Check your operator’s website and social media for updates.”

The council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team and operations crews continue to monitor the situation. There is no river or tidal flooding predicted for Cork city during the period of the storm.

The HSE South West said there would be significant disruption to services on Friday due to the storm. It said all non-urgent clinics and appointments in Cork and Kerry have been cancelled. Members of the public are urged to only travel to emergency departments in the event of serious illnesses or injury.

All churches in the Diocese of Cloyne will close on Thursday evening and remain shut until the red warning has expired.

The city council’s customer service unit can be contacted on (021) 4924000 and public counters in Cork City Hall are to open from noon on Friday. The council’s accommodation placement service office will open from 2pm to 4pm on Friday.