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Storm Eowyn Live: Vast Number Of Fallen Trees And Blocked Midlands Roads

Friday, 24 January 2025 07:08

The Castledaly to Moate road is currently impassable - Photo Credit: Facebook/Athlone Area Traffic Watch

Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath will remain under a weather warning until at least 4pm today.

Widespread damage is being reported across Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath this morning with strong gusts from Storm Eowyn still having an impact across the region.

Scores of thousands of homes and businesses across Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath are without power.

A red Wind Alert remains in place for the region until 11 this morning, that will be followed by an orange warning until noon, and then a yellow warning from 12 until 4pm.

LAOIS

 There are reports of multiple trees down right across the county this morning.

 N80 is impassable.

 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:

WESTMEATH:

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,

And 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.

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:

POWER

The ESB says an ‘unprecedented’ 560,000 homes and businesses are without power.

Ofafly appears to be the worst affected in the region, with over 24,000 faults recorded, there's over 14,000 in Westmeath, and just under 11,000 in Laois.

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. 

TRANSRORT

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:

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:

Offaly County Council are urging people to stay safe:

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