Earlier – Tree uprooted at 1995 Mill Road commemoration

17:45 – Illaunmanagh Park Run in Shannon and Vandeleur Park Run, Kilrush Cancelled on Saturday Due To Several Fallen Trees

17:25 – Lees Road John O’Sullivan Park to remain closed Saturday
Assessment works will continue at Lees Road in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.
Meanwhile, Active Ennis Leisure Complex re-opens tomorrow at the normal hours. Note that the exit road from the complex is cordoned off due to a fallen tree.
17:15 – Uisce Eireann Working To Restore Supply In North Clare
Uisce Éireann has confirmed its working to restore water supply to customers in North Clare following Storm Éowyn.
Repair crews have commenced restoration works at the at the Ballymacraven Water Treatment Plant which supplies Kilfenora, Lisdoonvarna, Fanore, Doolin, Ballyvaughan and surrounding areas.
The Banner is one of the counties most affected by water outages with 120,00 homes, farms and businesses without water services across the country this evening, with 670,000 water supplies also at risk currently due to power outages.
Uisce Eireann says its priority is the return of drinking water service to customers who are being urged to conserve water where possible to protect supply while outages are being resolved.
16:30 – Road closed at Ballaghboy, Quin

16:15 – Éir And Vodafone Issue Broadband Update
Eir says Storm Éowyn caused significant disruption to its services with over 80,000 faults experienced across the network.
This has led to 160,000 customers without broadband due to outages seen at 30% of its mobile network sites.
While Vodafone Ireland has confirmed that Vodafone Network Teams have been mobilised to effected areas of the country to restore connectivity.
14% of their countrywide mobile network sites are currently off-air, however supplementary power has been supplied to important locations and back up power systems have been activated.
Vodafone has advised rebooting modems to restore service following the return of power and says customers will receive confirmation from Vodafone via text if there is a fault in their area.
15:40 – Council Crews Continue Clean-Up Operation

15:30 – Earlier Road Closure between Sixmilebridge and Cratloe

15:00 – Kilrush Sea Wall Suffers Damage

13:00
The clean-up operation is well underway in Clare as Storm Eowyn begins to abate.
The banner county remains under a status yellow weather alert until 4 o’clock this afternoon, after what’s been one of the most severe storms ever witnessed in this country.
Flights have resumed at Shannon Airport, following delays and cancellation caused by the storm, which at its peak saw gust of 137 kilometres per hour recorded at the midwest facility.
The first flight from Stanstead landed just after 11 o’clock this morning, followed by a flight from Fuertaventura shortly before noon.
There’s significant disruption across the roads network, with seventy Clare County Fire Service personnel and around 150 Clare County Council personnel responding to incidents across the county since the red alert expired this morning.
Senior Engineer with Clare County Council, Cyril Feeney has been telling Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill that a significant operation lies ahead and he’s urging anyone taking to the roads to do so with extreme caution.
More than 700,000 homes, farms and businesses across the country have been left without power, including around 44,000 here in Clare at the peak.
That number has since reduced to just over 37,000.
The banner county was one of the counties to bear the brunt of the storm.
ESB Technical Manager for the Clare area, Michael Sammon has been telling Clare FM’s Darragh O’Grady it could be well into the weekend before power is restored.
Elsewhere, The CEO of Conaght GAA has vowed to start working on plans next week to rebuild the Air Dome in County Mayo
It was destroyed overnight during the storm
John Prenty says they will clear the site and then plan for the future
12:15 – Trees fallen between Clarecastle and Ennis

12:00
Ballyline, Crusheen, trees down entangled with ESB line
Trees down in Ennis on Limerick Road, Cusack Road, Kildysart Road and Tulla Road
Connolly, large pole down on the road near the shop on the main street
Kilfenora Road, Lisdoonvarna, ESB wires down on the road near the village
Golf links Road in Ennis trees and wires down on the road near the golf club
R463 between Tuamgraney and Ogonnelloe several trees down
N18 northbound near shannon / Newmarket on Fergus area, a number of trees down on the road blocking hard shoulder and lane 1 in parts
Tree down at Minister’s Cross blocking main Sixmilebridge to Cratloe Road.
R465 Kilmore tree down on the road
Kilfenora, reports of a galvanised roof having blown off a structure in the village
Reports of 150KM/H Wind recorded at Moneypoint Power Station
08.45 – Roads
There’s widespread debris on county roads this morning, while there are reports of trees down at the following locations.
-Maurice’s Mills.
-The Ballygireen, old back road to Shannon.
-Clarecastle, after the school on the Clarecastle side.
-M18 Motorway from Shannon to Ennis and after junction 7 on the N18.
-Between Kilcolum Cross and Bogdale House pub on the road from Connolly.
-Between Sixmilebridge and Ministers Cross.
Gardaí are advising motorists to slow down and drive with care if you must take to the roads today.
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08.30 – Weather
A red weather alert remains in place until 11am, with an orange alert for Clare until noon.
A low level status yellow alert will then come into force until 4 o’clock this afternoon.
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06.45 – Spanish Point
The Armada Hotel in Spanish Point has issued an open invitation to the community to use the hotel “as your home, with our compliments, for hot water, showers, cups of tea, household essentials, and if anyone has any damage and needs a room tonight, our doors are open to you with an offer of a room”
In a post on social media the hotel says “We are lucky to have generator facilities to keep us up and running, we know most households in the area are out of power and we wish the extend an open invitation to our local community to use us as your home, with our compliments, for hot water, showers, cups of tea, household essentials, and if anyone has any damage and needs a room tonight, our doors are open to you with an offer of a room.
“We will assign someone to any calls or requests for help when our team are on duty but feel free to message us here at any stage for any requests big or small.
“We have never experienced a wind like this and hope you are all safe and well”.
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06.10 – Shannon Airport
A number of flights have been cancelled at Shannon Airport following gusts of over 137 kilometres per hour around 5am. Wind speeds remain strong, with gusts of 128 kilometres per hour recorded at Met Éireann’s weather station there at 6am.
A spokesperson for Shannon Airport says “Due to the impact of Storm Éowyn, airlines have cancelled a number of flights scheduled to depart and arrive at Shannon Airport this morning. As a result, many of our morning flights have been cancelled or delayed.
“The advice for intending passengers is to contact your airline directly or refer to their airline website/mobile app. for the most accurate and up-to-date flight information. Airlines will contact passengers whose flights have been impacted as a result of the weather warnings.
“Shannon Airport remains open and our staff continue to monitor this extreme weather event. Our full schedule will resume once weather conditions permit.
“If your flight is impacted as a result of the weather warning, your airline will notify you directly in advance. Passengers are advised to check this before travelling to the airport.”
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06.00 – Power Outages
37,783 properties are now without power in Clare. They’re among 560,000 homes, farms and businesses across the county that have lost supply.
The ESB says extreme, damaging and destructive winds associated with Storm Éowyn have so far caused widespread and extensive damage to the electricity network across the country.
It says with Met Éireann Status Red and Orange wind warnings remaining in place for the entire country until later this afternoon, significantly more power outages can be expected throughout the day as the storm tracks northwards. Even at current numbers, the damage to the electricity network and impact on customers has been unprecedented.
ESB Networks continue to closely monitor the storm impact on power supplies and all available resources stand ready to mobilise once safe to do so.
A spokesperson for ESB has said “From our experience of previous significant weather events and due to the severity of Storm Éowyn, we expect that power restoration will take a significant number of days.
“Given the extent of the damage nationwide estimated restoration times (ERTs) will only be provided once our teams have assessed network faults and these will then be available to view throughout Saturday on www.PowerCheck.ie.
“Our Customer Contact Centre Agents will be supporting customers throughout Storm Éowyn but will not be in a position to provide outage information until the network assessment has been fully conducted”.
If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous. Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999.
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05.30 – Record Breaking Winds
The record for the maximum ever gust of wind in Ireland has been broken overnight.
Met Eireann says a gust of 183 km/h was recorded at Mace Head at 5am, breaking the previous record of 182 km/h which has stood since 1945.
Gusts of 139 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.
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04.30 – Power Outages
24,810 Homes and Businesses are now without power across Clare.
The areas affected include Ennistymon, Miltown Malbay, Lahinch, Cranny, Kilrush, Kilkee, Lissycasey, Drumquin, Ennis, Quin, Tulla, Cratloe, Sixmilebridge, Rineanna, Gillogue.
Gusts of 137 kilometres per hour have been recorded at Shannon Airport at 4am.
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03.00 – Red Warning Has Come Into Effect
There’s a danger to life, as the whole country is under a Red wind warning this morning.
Storm Eowyn is expected to bring gusts of more than 180 kilometres an hour to this county over the coming hours.
The Red alert came into effect in Clare at 3am and remains in place until 11am this morning.
Schools will stay closed for the day, while public transport won’t operate during Storm Éowyn.
There’s a risk of fallen trees along with wave overtopping and power outages are expected.
Clare’s Head of Road’s Policing is warning that road conditions are treacherous this morning and will likely remain so throughout the day.
Superintendent Eddie Golden says people should stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and take action to protect themselves and their properties.
“Sea conditions and waves will be dangerous. Do not approach coastlines; Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry.
“An Garda Síochána and our colleagues in the other blue light emergency services will be on duty but depending on local weather conditions may not be in a position to respond to help during the height of Storm Éowyn, subject to dynamic risk assessments.
“Do not put yourself or members of the emergency services at risk during this period.
“Members of the Public should prepare today for Storm Éowyn. Please ensure that property, garden furniture and other loose material on your properties are secured.
“Today is the time to be a community, to check on isolated and vulnerable family, friends and neighbours. Please ensure that they are aware of and prepared for this storm event”.
A street light came down down on the Lahinch side of the Maid of Eírn roundabout in Ennis last night and members of An Garda Síochána moved it to the footpath, ahead of council crews mobilising to remove it from the scene.
There are also reports of issued with other street lights on roads across the county and Clare County Council has been notified.
Superintendent Eddie Golden says even after the storm subsides, people should not venture out unless they need to.
Electricity
ESB Networks says the storm is expected to cause extensive damage to electricity infrastructure and it’s asking people to stay clear of fallen electricity wires.
9,617 homes and businesses across Clare were left without power overnight, with power restored to 3,851 connected to the grid at Kilrush restored before the red alert came into force.
ESB Emergency Services: 1800 372 999. The public can monitor www.PowerCheck.ie in regards to power restoration times. Have MPRN to hand.
Clare County Council
The Local Authority has activated a Public Contact Number from 8am this Friday, and more than 150 staff are on standby ready to begin essential work when it is deemed safe to do so.
Clare County Council Interim Chief Executive Dr Carmel Kirby has reiterated the advice of the National Emergency Co-Ordination Team asking people to stay home, stay out of the storm and stay safe.
“We are preparing for an extreme wind event that will pose a direct risk to life and property. People are advised to stay sheltered during the red alert and we will also be asking our staff to stay home until after the red warning and then travel only when it is safe to do so.”
“Our phoneline and email will be active through the storm however and the public are encouraged to call this number to report any infrastructural damage, fallen trees or flooding. A coordination group will collate and prioritise these calls, and our response team will be mobilised after the event. Clare County Council’s offices, libraries and facilities will remain closed tomorrow, the public can continue to engage with the local authority by phone or online.”
Meanwhile, Clare’s Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly added, “The Clare County Fire and Rescue Service is warning the public to stay sheltered during the Red Weather Warning, and to remain vigilant once they begin to move out again.
“We are expecting a lot of issues relating to fallen trees, structural damage and power outages, with tidal surges and flooding also predicted. We will be prioritising life at risk calls during the red warning period. We would advise the public to be particularly careful around fallen trees and wires and to call our colleagues in the ESB immediately in the case of a fallen wires.”
Clare Civil Defence has also been placed on standby to respond to the aftermath of Storm Éowyn if required.
The Cold Weather Alert procedure has been enacted within Homeless Services in Clare. Additional spaces are available for those who are in need over the Red Alert period.
Staff in Homeless Provision Services along with An Garda Siochana are aware of this and the supports available.
Clare County Council will continue to monitor the situation and react accordingly.
Emergency Numbers
Fire & rescue emergencies: 999 or 112
Clare County Council: 065 6846200
Uisce Éireann 24/7 customer care centre: 1800 278 278
Transport
Bus Eireann says no buses will operate during this Red warning.
Iarnrod Eireann spokesperson Barry Kenny says with no trains running this morning, there will be knock on effects after the Red warning lifts.
Shannon Airport
Shannon Airport meanwhile is operational this morning, with some disruption.
Passengers are advised t ocheck with their airline before travelling to the airport and updates will be posted Shannon Airport’s social media channels for the duration of the storm.
Midwest Health Services
All outpatient appointments across Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary have been postponed due to storm Éwoyn.
With extremely dangerous travelling conditions expected, HSE Mid West is only operating its urgent emergency and essential time-critical services for the day.
While arrangements are being made to ensure continuation of essential services for chemotherapy and dialysis patients as well as those scheduled for urgent surgery.
Humanitarian Assistance Scheme
The Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, has confirmed that the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme will be available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected Storm Éowyn.
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme prevents hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are unable to meet costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair.
In dealing with emergency events the department generally adopts a three-stage approach as follows:
Stage 1 provides emergency support payments for food, clothing and personal items in the immediate aftermath of the event
Stage 2 involves the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items
Stage 3 is to identify what longer term financial support is required, including plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical re-wiring and painting.
If any homeowner affected by severe weather needs to access these supports, the emergency Community Welfare Service contact details are available here
National Parks and Wildlife Service
In line with a Status red warning issued by Met Éireann, all National Parks and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) sites will be closed on Friday 24th January.
Facilities and amenities on all sites will be closed and will be opened only following review of all conditions.
The NPWS says Public safety is a priority and it is asking the Public not to visit National Parks and NPWS sites on Friday and until further notice due to Storm Éowyn.
It’s urging people to follow the weather warnings from Met Éireann and advice from the National Emergency Co-ordination Group and the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management .
Updates on reopening access to National Parks will be available on NPWS and Department social media platforms and other local and national news sources.
Agriculture
IFA President Francie Gorman has advised farmers to take every precaution for the duration of Storm Éowyn.
The IFA President Francie Gorman advised farmers to check their farmyards in advance and put in place whatever safety procedures are needed to safeguard themselves and their livestock until the storm passes.
“Farmers should review whatever measures they normally take when Met Éireann issues a storm advisory. Check buildings, gates, doors, vehicles and equipment to ensure they are secure,” he said.
“Over the next 24 to 48 hours, farm families will face challenges in carrying out their work. It is absolutely essential that farmers think of their own safety, and the safety of their families and their neighbours,”” Francie Gorman said.
IFA National Farm Family & Social Affairs Chair Teresa Roche said that while farmers will want to care for their livestock, their priority should be their own safety.
“I would encourage everybody to take precaution around their farmyard and farm to see what can be done to limit the risks of the high wind speeds expect
“Met Éireann’s advice is that there is an ‘extreme risk to life’. Anybody farming near coastal areas should be very vigilant,” she said.
She also asked farmers to check with any neighbours who may be isolated and to give them whatever assistance they can.