
Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath will remain under a weather warning until at least 4pm today.
Homeowners, businesses, and emergency crews are counting the cost of Storm Eowyn today.
Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath are just now coming out from wind warnings that have been in place since the early hours of this morning.
Communities in both Offaly and Laois are without water currently.
Uisce Eireann says those affected in Kinnitty are set to get an alternative water supply, while those in the Catholes, Acragar, the Rock, and Mountmellick are facing continuous disruptions.
Their Senior Regional Operations Manager, Jim Fitzgerald says they're doing what they can to fix the outages:
An Offaly leisure centre has lost its roof to the storm.
The roof over the pool in the Auro Leisure Centre in Tullamore has been blown off.
All pool related activities in the centre have been postponed until a roof can be put in place.
The gym at the centre remains open.
Duty manager Robin Maher tells Midlands 103's David Hollywood they have no idea where the roof is now:
Around 30,000 customers are without power in the midlands.
Athlone is the worst effected town, with over 11,000 homes and businesses impacted by faults.
Over 7,000 premises in Portlaoise and more than 2,000 in Tullamore are also still without power.
Nationally, 725,000 homes and businesses are without power across the country as a result of the storm.
ESB crews will work on repairing faults, however it could be a week before all customers are reconnected.
The ESB's Siobhan Wynne is urging the public to be cautious as the storm eases:
The latest satellite image from Mét Éireann:
WESTMEATH:
Westmeath County Council's latest update underlines the widespread damage caused in the Lake County.
This is the scene on the Ballinagar to Ballyforan road.
This is the Lynn Road in Mullingar:
This is the Kinnegad to Ballinabrackey road:
The following roads and locations are blocked or have trees down:
Mayfield Grove Athlone, Conlonstown, Ballynacarrigy (Longford Road 800m north of the village) Irishtown, Ballynacarrigy R156, Raharney R392, Ballinea Toarlisnamore, Kilbeggan Clonmellon side of N52 Delvin Cullionmore, Mullingar N91 X3D3 N62 - 2km outside Athlone towards Ballinahown - Shed blown out and partially blocking the road St. Ruth's Park, Athlone Near 15 Ard Brae Par, Athlone Near 35 Hillcourt Athlone Dunboden, Dalystown Killucan /Cloughan Road C15KT70 - Ballinlough Castle N91W920 Mooretown, Delvin N91H922 Ballyhealy, Delvin N91CS6D Ballinagore Edmonton School N37AH70 Barrybeg Roscommon R394 Donnelly’s Cross Bog Road Coosan (2nd turn on left after church)
Westmeath Gardaí says there's at least 15 trees down between Kilbeggan and Moate on the R446
That part of the road is passable but be careful.
There is a huge tree down at the old snow cream factory in Moate, that's impassable - divert through Aird Grainne Estate if you're coming from Kilbeggan - divert via the Clara road if you're coming from Moate town centre.
Westmeath Gardaí are also reporting fallen trees on the Roscommon Road, in Mount Carmel in Moate, and the Ballymahon Road.
Director of Services with Westmeath County Council, Gene Ryan, says it will take some time, and people will need to be patient:
LAOIS
There are reports of multiple trees down right across the county this morning.
The N80 from Stradbally to Portlaoise is now open, but other blockages remain on the N80.
R428 at Castlemitchell impassible.
R422 at Killeen is impassible.
Laois County Council says the public should continue to shelter in place and not travel unless it’s absolutely necessary, even when the red warning expires.
Uisce Éireann customers can check the website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via their 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278
Director of Services with Laois County Council Simon Walton is asking anyone travelling today to take extreme care:
OFFALY
There's multiple reports of downed trees in Tullamore and particularly around the Clonminch area.
The local authority is confirming reports of several trees down across Edenderry, Rhode, Cloneygowan, Tullamore, Durrow, Clara.
This is from the R2004 Clonaslee to Tullamore road:
Offaly Sinn Fein Councillor, Claire Murray, says things are starting to calm down in the county after a very difficult morning:
The record for the maximum ever gust of wind in Ireland has been broken.
Met Eireann says a gust of 183 km/h was recorded at Mace Head, breaking the previous record of 182 km/h which has stood since 1945.
Gusts of 139 km/h and 137 km/h were also recorded in Knock and Shannon respectively.
The highest mean wind speed since the storm began was 130 km/h at Mace Head, which is a hurricane force wind.
TRANSPORT
Trains, trams and buses won't run while a red warning is in place.
Jennifer Gilna from the National Transport Authority says the public transport operators will mobilise as fast as possible once the alerts come to an end in each area:
Storm Éowyn: Vodafone Ireland issues network update
Friday 24th January 2025:
Vodafone Ireland has issued a network update as the red warning for Storm Éowyn ends in 25 counties.
Sheila Kavanagh, Network Director for Vodafone Ireland has confirmed that Vodafone Network Teams have been mobilised to effected areas of the country to restore connectivity.
She says, “We have preplanned with supplementary power for our most critical sites. Back-up power systems have already been activated to ensure network stability. The positive news is that our Network Teams have now been mobilised to effected areas of the country and we are committed to a speedy recovery with the support of ESB,”.
Advice from Westmeath County Council:
Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather says many areas are still yet to see their strongest winds:
Rhode meteorologist and from Ireland's Weather Channel, Cathal Nolan says hurricane force winds are hitting the country:
Listener reports:
A listener in Westmeath has reported a fallen tree blocking the road between Killucan and Kinnegad, motorists in the area are urged to be cautious.
Met Éireann are providing regular updates on the storm effect around the country:
Wind observations at 7am, excluding the offline stations
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 24, 2025
Max gusts (km/h):
- Knock 141 (Red)
- Finner Donegal 133 (Red)
Highest mean speeds (Red)
- Finner Donegal 94
- Malin Head 89
- Knock Airport 89 #StormÉowyn pic.twitter.com/gghfpcZE3W
Offaly County Council are urging people to stay safe:
Update In Birr - A listener in Offaly has reported a tree down across the road at Gallows Hill, Road blocked, tree down in Bullfin Park Housing Estate and tree down in Mill Island Park across the foot path.
Aura swimming pool in Tullamore has suffered significant structural damage and will be closed for the foreseeable.