Waterford and Clare have been added to the Red alerts for wind ahead of Storm Eunice tomorrow.
The Department of Education says due to the extreme nature of Storm Eunice and the threat of multi-hazard weather events as confirmed by Met Éireann, the Department is advising that schools in counties where Status Red wind warnings are in place and in counties where Status Orange Snow warnings are in place should not open tomorrow.
Remote teaching and learning should commence where possible, in line with schools’ remote teaching and learning plans.
All schools should keep up-to-date with the current weather warnings which are carried on all national and local news bulletins and in particular any change in the status warning for their area.
As well as Waterford and Clare, these are Cork, Kerry, Donegal, Mayo, Leitrim, Sligo and Roscommon.
The alert will come into effect from 7am tomorrow morning and will last until 11am.
Met Eireann says southwest winds veering northwest will reach mean speeds in excess of 80 km/h with gusts in excess of 130 km/h. Some coastal flooding is expected too, especially at high tide.
Officials say Storm Eunice is expected to be 'quick and powerful'.
A status red warning has been issued for #Waterford
Storm Eunice will track quickly over Ireland tonight & Friday morning bringing severe & damaging winds.
Some coastal flooding, especially at high tide.https://t.co/l8JdKfwZt9 pic.twitter.com/B8kNBywNV4— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 17, 2022
All Bus Éireann services in County Waterford will be suspended tomorrow between 2am and 12pm.
This suspension will also apply to all routes operating into or out of the status red warning area.
Meanwhile, in the UK the Met Office has issued its highest weather warning for the south-west of England and south Wales - meaning there could be a danger to life.
Britain's Prince Charles won't be visiting Wales tomorrow because of "the dangers" posed by incoming Storm Eunice.
Clarence House says the royal's engagements in Newport and Swansea will be rescheduled.
