LIVE: Limerick on high alert as Storm Éowyn lands with violent gale-force winds

LIMERICK is on high alert as Storm Éowyn has made landfall, unleashing ferocious winds across the city and county this Friday morning.

With a Status Red weather warning having come into effect at 2am and officials urging residents to stay indoors, the violent storm continues to pose a danger to life and property.

Residents are warned to expect levels of destruction and disruption as the storm’s fury continues to unfold.

The red warning will remain in place until 10am today.

Gusts could potentially exceed 130 km/h.

All schools and third-level institutions will be closed and there will be no public transport operating while the red level warning is in place.

A Status Orange warning for wind will remain in effect for Limerick until 4pm today, Friday, with stormy conditions to persist into Friday evening.

Experts believe that Storm Éowyn has the potential to break the current record for the fastest winds ever recorded in Ireland - a record which is currently held by Limerick, tied with County Donegal. That record was 181 km per hour which was recorded in Foynes in 1945. 

Meanwhile, Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) is operating an incident control room to ensure a coordinated response to incidents arising from Storm Éowyn.

The Council’s Crisis Management Team met on Thursday as preparations for the destructive storm continue.

The public can call 061 556000 at any time to report fallen trees, blocked roads or similar issues caused by the severe winter storm.

Continue to call 999 or 112 for threat to life and other emergencies.

Impacts from Storm Éowyn are expected to include danger to life and property, extremely dangerous travelling conditions, power and communications outages and coastal flooding.

The advice is do not take chances that put yourself or others at risk.

People are being urged to show patience as the clearing of fallen trees and other debris will not begin until weather conditions are deemed to be safe.

All flood barriers are in place in Limerick City and Foynes Port. Sandbags have been put in place to protect vulnerable properties in Askeaton.

High tide is 1.30pm this Friday.

READ ALSO: Worrying news as Met Éireann monitors second storm following Storm Éowyn to Ireland

Water Safety Ireland is urging the public to stay away from waterways during Storm Éowyn.

All calls received to Limerick City and County Council on 061 556000 and calls received by Limerick Fire and Rescue Service through the Munster Regional Control Centre will be dynamically assessed to determine response.

Limerick City and County Council crews will not mobilise during the red alert and even after that period will only respond when safe.

Limerick Fire and Rescue Service will only be responding to calls where there is a risk to life for the duration of the red level warning. Fire crews are on standby and crews have been stationed in the retained stations across the county.

Limerick Civil Defence are standing by ready to provide humanitarian assistance.