Review of Storm Éowyn response published
- Published on: 21 October 2025
- Last updated on: 23 October 2025
The review of the coordinated response to Storm Éowyn was published today (21 October) by the National Directorate of Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), a unit within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The report highlights the necessary response actions taken by the National Emergency Coordination Group and details recommendations considered necessary to consolidate and build on the strengths of the existing coordination structures, acknowledging the need for continuous improvement with an emphasis on community support measures and strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure.
Storm Éowyn was one of the most destructive storms in recent memory, prompting nationwide red wind warnings and triggering the activation of the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG). The impacts were widespread and extremely damaging. 768,000 electricity customers lost power. Whilst many parts of the country were disrupted following the storm, the effects were particularly severe and prolonged in remote and rural communities across the western seaboard, the northwest, the northeast and midlands of the country.
Commenting on the report, national director of the NDFEM, Keith Leonard said:
“Work has been ongoing since Storm Éowyn to address issues identified in the response. This includes guidance on establishing, coordinating and operating Community Support Centres within communities affected by severe weather, increasing generator capacity in Uisce Éireann and the addition of satellite communication capacity to strengthen the emergency services networks. This review identifies the best approach necessary to achieve increased resilience in the years ahead.”
Mr Leonard added:
“The Minister for Housing Local Government and Heritage James Browne met with all NECG members to overview preparedness and response arrangements in advance of winter 2025/26 and the NDFEM stands ready to work with all stakeholders to deal with any adverse weather events this winter.”
Local authorities are assigned the lead agency role for co-ordinating the local response to severe weather emergencies as well as delivering a significant portion of that response effort. The review acknowledges that the local authorities consistently demonstrate both leadership and capacity in dealing with severe weather, supported where necessary by the National Emergency Coordination Group.
The completion of the review recommendations will be progressed through the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning.
View the report here.
ENDS
Notes to the editor
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage undertook a review of the NECG response to Storm Éowyn, in its role as lead Government department for the response to severe weather and flooding emergencies.
The Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) established a review steering group, with participants from all key Departments and agencies.
Storm Éowyn, struck Ireland on 24 January. Wind gusts exceeded 130Km/h across Ireland with peak gusts reaching 184 km/h at Mace Head.
ESB Storm Éowyn Review
The ESB carried out its own review of the response to Storm Éowyn.
The report of that review can be downloaded from the ESB website via this link (pdf).