LIVE UPDATES: Offaly disruption as 'severest storm' puts country under red warning

Storm Éowyn threatens to be one of the most severe storms to ever hit Ireland, with a red-level warning coming into effect from the early hours of tomorrow (Friday) morning.

In Offaly, a red warning is in place from 6am to 11am, and the public are being asked to exercise extreme caution and keep up to date with the latest weather warnings.

Here are some of the ways the storm will impact on local services tomorrow:

Health

HSE Midlands will see significant disruptions due to Storm Éowyn tomorrow.

Outpatient and non-urgent services in hospitals and non-essential community healthcare will be cancelled tomorrow due to the severe weather warning.

Where people are in receipt of specialist and time critical services such as dialysis and cancer treatment, the HSE said the treating unit will contact the patient directly if there are any changes to the schedule. Supports to vulnerable people at home in the community will be prioritised on an urgent needs basis during the hours of restricted travel (red hours).

Business

Numerous local businesses have announced that they will be closed or opening later than usual during tomorrow's storm. It's not possible to list all of them, but here are a few examples:

The Bridge Shopping Centre in Tullamore said that, due to the red-level warning, it has made the decision to remain closed until 12pm tomorrow.

Justin Daly Pharmacy in Ferbane said that, for the safety of its staff and customers, the pharmacy would be closed until 1pm on Friday.

"This may be reviewed as weather warnings change or depending on road closures etc," it said.

Galvin's menswear in Tullamore also said its current plan is to open at 1pm on Friday.

"This is subject to change and we ask anyone planning to come in to keep an eye on our socials before coming in," said the business.

Birr Castle Demesne said it will remain closed on Friday, "for the safety of our visitors and friends."

Floorstore Direct .ie said its Tullamore and Galway branches will be closed on Friday due to the storm.

Local hotels have also been affected. An update from the Tullamore Court Hotel said there would be changes to its normal opening times.

"The Coffee Bar will not be open. The Fitness Club will be closed from 6am to 2pm, and will open at 2pm. The Court Bar & Restaurant Carvery will be open as normal from 12pm," it said.

A round-up of storm-related announcements from supermakets can be found here.

Clara Bog Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre, meanwhile, said it will be closed for the duration of weather warnings, and until inspected and deemed safe.

Council Services

Offaly County Council said its severe weather assessment team has met to plan for the severe and destructive storm.

Its management team is "continuously monitoring weather warning updates regarding Storm Éowyn" and is "is attending severe weather alert meetings locally as well as at National Coordination Group level."

All public buildings (libraries, Municipal District Offices, Áras an Chontae), parks and civic amenity sites are closed to the public on Friday.

The public are advised to please call Offaly County Council out of hours emergencies on 1800 15 15 15 or email customerservices@offalycoco.ie to report an issue.

Deliveries

For those expecting deliveries before the weekend, DPD and An Post have both shared that they will be closed tomorrow morning, and resuming business on Saturday morning.

Education

All schools across the Midlands will be closed on Friday due to the storm.

The campus of the Technological University of the Shannon, Midlands will also remain closed all day.

Transport

Local link bus services in Laois, Offaly and Westmeath will not be operating during the red-level warning, but some are due to resume tomorrow afternoon. More details here.

Irish Rail said "no train services will operate on the morning of Friday, January 24, and while the status red weather warning is in place". It added that train services were likely to face "significant disruption" in the aftermath of the storm.

Bus Éireann also said it would be implementing "significant service cancellations," due to the storm.

Useful numbers in case of emergency:

ESB Networks Emergency No: 1800 372999

Gas Networks Ireland Emergency No: 1800 205050

Westmeath County Council Emergency No: 1800 805 816

Uisce Éireann Emergency Number: 1800 278 278

Emergency Services (Fire, Ambulance, Police): 112 or 999

Irish Water (Flooding issues): 1800 278 278 or +353 1 707 2828 .

Moate Garda Station: 09064 81106

Moate Medical: 09064 81130

Moate Vets: 0906481963

Westmeath SPCA: 086 6383730

HSE Helpline (Medical advice): 1800 700 700

Emergency Homeless Services - Midlands Simon Community (6pm–12am): 087 445 4542