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11th Oct 2018

Breaking: Officials warn some schools may not open tomorrow as fears over Storm Callum grows

Trine Jensen-Burke

Storm Callum is coming and it’s set to be a bad one. 

According to the latest weather reports, winds of up to 130km will sweep across the country tonight, and could pose a serious “risk to life and property”, according to forecasters.

In some areas, officials are now warning schools and business might not be in a position to open tomorrow, as storm damage is now looking very likely.

At 3pm today, a meeting of the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG), with representatives from Met Éireann, local authorities, the ESB, OPW and government, has been called amid growing fears over the impact the storm.

Speaking this morning, Met Éireann meteorologist Harm Luijkz warned tonight is to become “very windy as Storm Callum arrives”.

“There will be storm force or gale force gusts, which can be severe or damaging. We have issued orange warnings for the coastal counties, and yellow warnings for the inland counties. There will be rain later tonight and, combined with winds and high tides, there is a risk of coastal flooding. And we are advising people to avoid coastal areas during this event.”

Schools and business owners are urged by authorities to keep up-to-date on the latest weather forecasts, and people have been warned to stay away from exposed coastal areas for the duration of the warning, which will come into place from 10pm tonight in places.