Met Eireann issues red warnings for Friday 24th January

Met Eireann has issued a red warning for the whole of Ireland on Friday 24th January.

As IF&CR’s CLICK is issued each Friday morning at 8.30am, we hope everyone stays safe on the roads, getting to work, and on the forecourt today.

The storm is anticipated to be “historic” and one of the worst the country has experienced in years.

In anticipation of the storm, Met Eireann issued a series of Status Red weather warnings, with no county in Ireland unaffected by alerts that kicked in at 2am on Frida and remain in place until at least 3pm on Friday 24th January.

With Status Red warnings in place nationwide, no schools will open on Friday, while public transport services will not be in operation while the red warning is in place.

Widespread power outages are expected, while Met Éireann has also warned of a number of potential impacts, most notably a ‘danger to life’, as well as fallen trees, structural damage, coastal flooding and extremely dangerous travelling conditions.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has urged people to “avoid any travel” on Friday morning during the “unprecedented and life-threatening Storm Éowyn”. This is not a typical weather event and has the potential to be “a significant and historic storm” which poses a serious risk to life, it said.

Road-users must continue taking extra care even when the worst of the storm has passed as they may have to contend with flooding, debris and hazardous conditions, said the RSA.

CSNA has issued a statement to its members:

Extreme_Weather_Preparation_Advice.pdf

The warning will be in effect from 02.00 – 14.00 (depending on county – check www.met.ie for details). The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has issued guidance for operators of construction sites. For temporary structures, operators are being advised to anchor scaffolding, tie down materials and equipment and to secure fencing and hoarding. They are also being urged to check whether any frame or structure is “at risk of collapse due to wind load”.

Regarding pay for employees whose attendance at work is affected by Storm Éowyn, you will find up to date advice from the Workplace Relations Commission HERE. In general, there is no statutory entitlement for an employee to be paid if they cannot attend work because of extreme weather. Anymore beneficial arrangement is a matter for agreement between the employer and the employee, and we advise employers to exercise discretion in the best interests of employees and the business in this area.

CSNA recommends that all businesses and employers take a proactive approach to minimise the disruption due to this warning, or should there be another extreme weather event this spring. This means putting contingency plans in place, advising employees of what will happen in the event of a Red Weather Alert and ensuring the there is sufficient planning to offset any potential loss.

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 events
• Structural damage
• Wave overtopping
• Coastal flooding in low-lying and exposed areas

IF&CR hopes everyone stays safe, those who can stay at home should do so – but for those essential workers, lorry, tanker and truck drivers, and forecourt staff – stay safe, stay alert and take care on the roads.