Storm Eowyn review recommends cancelling events in areas under Orange wind warnings

"Storm Éowyn, which hit Ireland in January of this year, proved to be one of the most destructive storms in the history of the State. Nationwide Status Red warnings were in effect, 768,000 customers were left without power and rural areas in the west, northwest and midlands were hit particularly hard. Wind gusts of more than 130kmh were seen across the country, while peak gusts of 184kmh were recorded at Mace Head in Co Galway."

"Among the recommendations to emerge from the review was for events to be cancelled in areas where an Orange wind warning is forecast. "Event sites and funfairs with temporary structures of all kinds may need to be considered for closure at a lower threshold, which should be set by the event organiser at the event planning stage," the review reads. It was also recommended that event organisers should put in place arrangements for wind speeds to be monitored at the site of outdoor events."

"The severity of Storm Éowyn led to a humanitarian response "at a scale well beyond any previous severe weather event", according to the review. This also had other cascading effects on essential services and infrastructure. The activation of "emergency hubs" during the storm enabled "some basic humanitarian assistance to be provided", the NDFEM said. Its report recommends that the concept of emergency hubs needs to be further developed and reinforced so that they can be activated at short notice, providing a predefined level of support."

Storm Éowyn struck Ireland in January with extreme winds and widespread damage. Nationwide Status Red warnings were issued and 768,000 customers lost power, with rural western, northwestern and midlands areas particularly affected. Wind gusts exceeded 130km/h across the country and reached 184km/h at Mace Head, Co Galway. Recommendations include cancelling events when Orange wind warnings are forecast, setting lower closure thresholds for temporary structures, and arranging site wind-speed monitoring for outdoor events. The event triggered an unprecedented humanitarian response, exposed cascading impacts on essential services, and called for further development of emergency hubs coordinated by local authorities and community organisations.

Read at Irish Independent