Laois employers urged to allow remote working due to 'severest' Storm Éowyn which will shut Laois schools
National Status Red weather warning in place for Ireland
Ireland's national emergency response team has confirmed that Status Éowyn will shut schools, early learning, childcare services, and higher and further education institutions will during Status Red wind warning.
Employers in Laios and other counties during Red warning times should also facilitate working from home for all employees, where possible, and only emergency service workers should be leaving home for work, where directed by their employer.
Public transport does not operate in a red warning. Tansport operators will make an assessment on when services can resume when the red warning is lifted.
Laois County Council is part of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) which issued the advice while urging local people people to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and take action to protect both themselves and their properties.
Keith Leonard is the Chairperson of the NECG. He said Storm Éowyn will probably be among the "severest storms" that Ireland has ever seen. He said it is likely that the number of people who will lose power will top the 385,000 figure from Storm Ophelia in 2017.
“Storm Éowyn is going to be a very dangerous and destructive weather event. The forecasted winds have the capacity to bring severe, damaging winds which will constitute a risk to life and property. During the Red Level wind warnings, the public are advised to shelter in place,
“Where Orange warnings are in place, the public are also advised to limit travel to essential journeys only. An orange wind warning should not be underestimated – it can bring extremely strong gusts and can also pose a threat to life and property,
"I would urge people to stay away from coastal areas during this period and to heed the appeal from the Irish Coast Guard for people to ‘Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry’. It’s also important to remember that even after the storm has passed, there is a strong possibility of fallen trees and other debris so drivers are also urged to take care in the aftermath of the storm,” he added.
The NECG is continuing to liaise with Met Éireann and monitor the situation to coordinate an appropriate response, however, widespread disruption to public and other services is to be anticipated.
The public are strongly advised to keep up to date with Met Eireann forecasts, which you can do so here.
Laois County Council has also issued advice to the public - READ HERE.