weather warning

LIVE UPDATES: Disruption as 'severest storm' puts country under red warning

weather warning

Published: Thu 23 Jan 2025, 4:22 PM

Last updated: Thu 23 Jan 2025, 5:09 PM

Storm Éowyn threatens to be one of the most severe storms to ever hit Ireland, with a red-level warning coming into effect from the early hours of tomorrow (Friday) morning.

In Westmeath, Roscommon, and Offaly, a red warning is in place from 6am to 11am, and the public are asked to exercise extreme caution and keep up to date with the latest weather warnings.

Here are some of the ways the storm will impact on local services tomorrow:

Health

HSE Midlands will see significant disruptions due to Storm Éowyn tomorrow.

Outpatient and non-urgent services in hospitals and non-essential community healthcare will be cancelled tomorrow due to the severe weather warning.

Where people are in receipt of specialist and time critical services such as dialysis and cancer treatment, the HSE said the treating unit will contact the patient directly if there are any changes to the schedule. Supports to vulnerable people at home in the community will be prioritised on an urgent needs basis during the hours of restricted travel (red hours).

The Injury Unit located in Charter Medical, Mullingar, will open at the later time of 2pm until 8pm.

Business

A number of local businesses have announced that they will be closed or will open later than usual due to tomorrow's storm.

The Savoury Fare restaurants in Athlone are set to remain closed tomorrow for the safety of both their staff and their customers.

The Athlone Towncentre shopping centre said it will be closed for the duration of the red-level warning, and that it plans to open at 12 noon on Friday, unless there is any change to the Met Éireann guidance.

Golden Island Shopping Centre will remain closed and will not reopen until 1 hour after this red alert has lifted. Therefore, it is anticipated that the centre will reopen at 12noon.

Buckley's Supervalu in Moate will also remain closed until 12 noon, whilst Smith's Supervalu in Monksland, Athlone will remain closed until 1pm.

Moate Golf Club will also remain closed all day.

Tuar Ard Coffee Shop Moate is closed tomorrow because of the weather warnings, and will be reopening on Saturday at 8am.

The Athlone and Castlerea Credit Union said that, due to the status red warning in place for tomorrow, and in the interest of the safety of its staff and members, its offices will be closed on Friday. It said online banking services will continue to be available during this time.

Cooneys Pharmacy in Moate said it will not open until 12.30pm, provided that electricity remains unaffected.

Colm Quinn BMW said its retail centres in Athlone, Galway and Drogheda are due to open at 1pm tomorrow. "We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding," it said.

The Westmeath Independent office will be closed to the public on Friday, but our staff will be working remotely and will remain contactable. Details here.

Council Services

Roscommon County Council has also announced the closure of council buildings, libraries, civic amenity sites, and playgrounds until 5pm.

All Westmeath County Council offices and buildings, including libraries, will be closed.

The council said it has established a central unit to manage the response to the weather event, and this can be contacted at 0449332000 or by emailing: corporateservices@westmeathcoco.ie

Deliveries

For those expecting deliveries before the weekend, DPD and An Post have both shared that they will be closed tomorrow morning, and resuming business on Saturday morning.

Education

All schools across the Midlands will be closed on Friday due to the storm.

The campus of the Technological University of the Shannon, Midlands will also remain closed all day.

Transport

Local link bus services in Westmeath, Roscommon and Offaly will not be operating during the red-level warning, but some are due to resume tomorrow afternoon. More details here.

Irish Rail said "no train services will operate on the morning of Friday, January 24, and while the status red weather warning is in place". It added that train services were likely to face "significant disruption" in the aftermath of the storm.

Bus Éireann also said it would be implementing "significant service cancellations," due to the storm.

Useful numbers in case of emergency:

ESB Networks Emergency No: 1800 372999

Gas Networks Ireland Emergency No: 1800 205050

Westmeath County Council Emergency No: 1800 805 816

Uisce Éireann Emergency Number: 1800 278 278

Emergency Services (Fire, Ambulance, Police): 112 or 999

Irish Water (Flooding issues): 1800 278 278 or +353 1 707 2828 .

Moate Garda Station: 09064 81106

Moate Medical: 09064 81130

Moate Vets: 0906481963

Westmeath SPCA: 086 6383730