Advice for schools to delay opening as Storm Debi approaches causing confusion and annoyance for parents
All schools and pre-schools in 19 counties affected by the Status Red and Orange warnings will be asked to remain closed until 10am tomorrow morning, according to Keith Leonard, National Director of Fire and Emergency Management.
Mr Leonard briefed the media this evening at a last-minute meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group as Storm Debi approaches the country advising that all schools and pre-schools remain closed until 10am tomorrow morning (Monday).
However that instruction has left parents bewildered, with many asking how it will affect school runs and bus services. The Status Orange warning in place for Meath is actually in effect until 10am, so are parents advised to travel during this time to make a 10am start? There has also been no official word from the Dept of Education on the matter, further increasing frustration. At 8pm this evening there was no official comment from the Dept of Education.
Met Éireann meteorologist Rebecca Cantwell said that people should follow the advice of their local authority, and should not take any unnecessary risks.
She told RTÉ: "As Storm Debi tracks across the county it's going to come into the southwest in the early hours of the night but as that tracks across the country it'll reach the midlands and eastern half of the country during the morning when more people are out and about.
"Within the red warning we are expecting very damaging gusts. There is a risk to life. There is going to be significant power outages, the possibility of fallen trees, branches, and very difficult traveling conditions.
"The second red warning is going to come into effect at the time of rush hour, in the morning between 5am and 7am when people start getting on the roads so there’s going to be dangerous conditions.
#StormDebi will sweep across Ireland on Sunday night & Monday morning.
To prepare:
✅Store garden and patio furniture, pots and any other items in the garden or patio correctly in anticipation of strong winds.
✅Disassemble trampolines, store them or make sure they are anchored down securely.
✅Stock up on batteries in preparation for any possible power outages.
✅Use LED alternatives instead of real candles for safety.
✅Charge devices in advance.
✅Secure windows and doors.
✅Electricity: Have your 11 digit MPRN to hand, as well as the name or telephone number associated with your account in case you need to report an outage.
Due to Red Weather warnings the following Bus Éireann services will be cancelled on Monday, 13 November 2023:
School Transport Services:
As per the decision to delay the opening of schools until 10am tomorrow, School Bus Services in the 19 counties (Clare, Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Monaghan, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway and Roscommon) affected by the Status Red and Orange Warnings will not operate on Monday morning; however, afternoon services will operate as normal, subject to local road conditions being safe to travel.
A statement on Bus Eireann's website reads: "The arrival of Storm Debi is likely to cause significant impact to public transport services on Monday morning and we would ask intending customers to check our website www.buseireann.ie for service updates and to also leave additional time should you be intending to travel."