UCD Campus to Close for Storm Éowyn

Image Credit: Colin Park via Wikimedia Commons

UCD Campus closure issued for Friday 24 January in anticipation of Storm Éowyn, students and employees advised not to travel.

UCD has confirmed that its campus will close tomorrow, Friday 24 January, following Met Éireann’s issue of a Status Red Weather Warning with the arrival of Storm Éowyn.

In an email sent to all students, UCD Registrar and deputy President Colin Scott encouraged members of the UCD community in affected areas to “stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and take action to protect themselves and their properties.” The email also clarified that UCD Village and residences will remain open as usual for residents.

Module coordinators have been asked to provide online alternatives to scheduled class times due to the closure and will contact students with details for these changes.

Storm Éowyn is anticipated to be the “severest storm” Ireland has seen in years, according to the chair of the National Emergency Co-ordination group, Keith Leonard. Destructive gusts of over 130km/h are forecasted by Met Éireann, with the weather conditions expected to begin at around 2am and end at approximately 12pm on Friday 24 January. 

The rare country-wide Status Red Wind Warning presents a number of dangers, including danger to life, transport disruptions, power outages, treefall and more. Power outages are expected to exceed Storm Ophelia’s numbers, which led to over 385,000 outages in 2017. 

Keith Leonard emphasized the potential magnitude of Storm Éowyn, saying “Storm Éowyn is going to be a very dangerous and destructive weather event. The forecasted winds have the capacity to bring severe, damaging winds which will constitute a risk to life and property. During the Red Level wind warnings, the public are advised to shelter in place.”

Some forecasters anticipate that Storm Éowyn could potentially be larger than Storm Debbie, which led to the deaths of 18 people across the Island of Ireland in 1961.

Additionally, the forecasted wind speeds are estimated to exceed record gusts in Northern Ireland, which has been 124mp/h since 1974.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has warned that the weather conditions will be “dangerous, destructive and damaging”. Additionally, he reiterated Met Éireann’s warnings to avoid coastal areas, stating “You need to pay attention. Do not travel. Do not go near the sea.” 

Based upon these warnings, Registrar and Deputy President Colin Scott has said “Employees and students are advised not to travel.” UCD Estates staff are also expected to monitor the situation on campus as the storm arrives. 

UCD campuses are expected to return to usual function on Saturday 25 January.