It has all the signs of an historic weather event.

And if you were considering taking a chance and traveling during Storm Éowyn tonight or early tomorrow morning, the City Council has issued a stern ‘do not go outside’ warning.

Storm Éowyn (it’s pronounced (AY-OH-WIN) is forecast to track across Ireland on Thursday night and Friday, bringing very strong to gale force winds with the potential for damaging wind gusts and disruption in places.

“Anyone saying this is just another storm is in for a rude awakening.” said weather expert Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather.

“This will be an historic storm.”

• A Status Yellow Rain Warning is in place from 21:00 Thursday 23/01/2025 to 03:00 Friday 24/01/2025.
• A Status Orange Wind Warning will be in place from 2:00am Friday 24/01/2025 to 5pm Friday 24/01/2025 afternoon.
• A Status Red Warning Wind Warning will be in place from 2:00am Friday 24/01/2025 to 10am Friday 24/01/2025 morning.

Householders are advised to stock up on batteries for the torch in case of power outages and water in case services are disrupted.

“Do not go outside during the period that the Red Warning is in place.” the City Council said in a statement.

The UK Met Office high resolution model is showing some of the strongest gusts forecast. We are looking a historic storm tonight and tomorrow with a lot of impacts. Please take care and prepare for power outages, charge all your battery devices and if you have a private water… pic.twitter.com/OZ72bCdkEf

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) January 23, 2025

“Do not make unnecessary journeys during the period of the Orange Warning. If you must travel, take care when doing so, as conditions may be hazardous and there may be debris on roads. Take care as structural damage may have occurred to buildings.

“Please note parks, public car parks and civic offices will be open from noon Friday (may be subject to change).”

The City Council’s Customer Service Unit (CSU) can be contacted on 021-4924000, while the Emergency Services may be contacted by dialling 112 or 999.

ESB Networks 24 Hour Emergency number is 1800 372 999 or 021 2382410.

‘Stay high, stay dry’

County Council crews have been deployed to inspect key high-risk areas and will continue to monitor the situation throughout the period. Pumping arrangements will be in place in known problem locations.

Red warnings for #StormÉowyn have been updated as follows.

These changes are because the latest forecast shows the system clearing out slightly earlier than forecasted yesterday. pic.twitter.com/AistGVDQsi

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 23, 2025

The public is advised to stay away from coastal areas during this period. The Irish Coast Guard is appealing to people to “Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry”. There is the potential for tidal flooding in coastal areas.