22 January 2025
A storm is coming – plan and act before high wind events
As orange and red weather warnings have been issued by Met Eireann in advance of Storm Éowyn, Health and Safety Specialist at Teagasc, Francis Bligh shares some safety tips for your farm.
1). Check on family members and neighbours
Talk to family members and neighbours about the storm. They may not realise the warnings are in place. They may need help to make a plan. If they are concerned or afraid, it may be a good idea for them to consider staying with family or friends during the storm event.
2). Make sure you have essentials in your house
Take time to check that you have a fully charged mobile phone, sufficient food, drinks and battery operated lights. Electricity supplies may be interrupted for a period of time, so it is important to be prepared.
3). Protecting your property from damage and other people from injury
Don’t risk injury to others or damage to your property. Check for loose items outside your home and yard. Seek help to do this work before high winds commence. Items to check include: shed doors; livestock trailers; loose metal or plastic sheeting.
Shed and field gates can open during high winds. Fences can also fall. Take time to secure these and also main yard entrance gates to avoid loose animals getting access to roads or the public.
4). Stay indoors during high wind
Think about the jobs that are necessary. Feed animals and carry out husbandry tasks so that they do not need to be done during the high wind. Milking times should be adjusted to avoid peak wind events. If lambing or calving is taking place, consider the risks associated with leaving the house. Always use a vehicle if moving in the yard during a wind event is necessary.
5). Think about where you park vehicles and machinery
Tiles, slates or roof sheets may be blown from roofs of buildings. If your car or tractor is usually parked near a building or a tree, it may be worth considering an alternative parking space.
6). Standby generators
Generators can be an important source of back-up power, but special rules need to be observed: ESB Networks advice is as follows:
- Never plug a generator into a socket;
- Ensure the generator is used with a proper changeover switch at the main distribution board, and installed by a registered electrical contractor.
7). Fallen electricity wires
Great care must be taken to avoid contact with fallen or damaged electricity wires. They may not be immediately obvious so it is important to be vigilant. Where is it possible and safe to do so, turn off power to sheds and farmyards prior to a wind event.
ESB advice on fallen wires is as follows:
If you come upon a fallen wire, observe the following:
- Always assume an electricity line is live and keep a safe distance away;
- Never try to remove trees or handle stock in contact with fallen wires;
- Report any damage, however small;
- Contact ESB Networks immediately on 1800 372 999.
More information from ESB is available here.
8). Driving safely in strong wind
Driving in stormy conditions can be very dangerous, for yourself and other road users. Do not drive if at all possible. If you must drive, select the safest route and tell people where you are going and keep in touch with them. In ideal circumstances, only emergency services should be on the road during orange and red warning storm conditions. If the reason for travel is an unexpected health related event contact the emergency services first.
9). Stay up to date with the weather in your area
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly. When a weather warning is issued, stay up to date with the weather in your area. Details on weather warnings can be found on the Met Eireann website.
10). After the storm
- Check your home for any damage that may need urgent attention;
- Check for any fallen electricity wires, inform ESB networks immediately if necessary;
- Check on stock and move them away from danger (floods, fallen electricity wires etc.);
- Ensure stock have adequate feed and water;
- Assess any damage to farm buildings and deal with any urgent repairs as quickly as possible. Call registered electrician if shed roofs are damaged to check wiring;
- Contact your insurance company if necessary;
- Accept help when offered, and ask for it if you need it.
Further information is available on the Be Winter Ready campaign webpage.
Teagasc has more storm advice for farmers here.
Advice on dealing with trees damaged by a storm is available here.