Storm Eowyn Supports
Unprecedented damage has been done by Storm Éowyn, with communities across the country experiencing outages in power, water, telecommunications and other services. Working with the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG), local authorities are coordinating a local-level humanitarian assistance response to the needs of people who have been significantly impacted by the storm.
Supports for those impacted
- In the worst affected areas, Emergency Response Hubs are being set up to assist people with basic needs such as water, hot food, phone charging, broadband access, and shower facilities. Details of each hub, including location, opening hours and services available, can be found here.
- Local Coordination Groups are also being set up in the worst affected areas to coordinate available supports and assistance.
- Helplines are being made available to provide advice and direction to supports.
Local authorities are working together to share available resources so they can get help to people who need it, and the needs of the most vulnerable are being prioritised. For more information on the supports available in impacted local authority areas, visit your local authority’s website.
Guidance on staying safe
- Nationally, all road users are being advised to be aware of the dangers that may remain following the storm such as downed pylons, lines, trees, branches, and other debris which could block roads. Obey any road closures or diversions put in place by local authorities and An Garda Síochána.
- Fallen electricity wires and wires in contact with, or close to, damaged trees pose a particular risk in the aftermath of a storm. The ESB should be contacted immediately where electricity wires pose a risk to safety.
- Farmers should not put their safety at risk making repairs to buildings or removing fallen trees or branches. This should only be undertaken by operators with the skills and the personal protective equipment to carry out the work safely.
Resources
- Information about all the Emergency Response Hubs is available here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/d355b0bdf2784c4eaa0f54c0370cc77d/
- Your local authority's website will also have details on the supports available in your area.
- ESB Networks are working to restore electricity supply in the areas affected by power outages. They continue to update estimated restoration times on www.PowerCheck.ie.
- The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected by Storm Éowyn. The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme mitigates hardship by providing income tested financial assistance schemes to households affected by a severe weather event.