The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has urged safety for farmers, fishers and people in rural areas and have asked them to take precautions and prepare for the approaching Storm Éowyn.

It is important that steps are taken in advance to minimise the risks to people, livestock and property when the storm arrives.

The department is urging everyone to follow closely to the advice of the authorities, noting that farmers should check that buildings and loose objects are secure.

Farmers should ensure that livestock have shelter, feed, and access to water, and unnecessary working during dangerous conditions should be avoided.

All animal keepers should prepare for a potential power cut on their premises and farms that use automated infrastructure such as feeders or ventilation systems should ensure that back-up systems such as electricity generators are working properly.  

Farmers are warned that working outdoors during these stormy conditions can lead to serious incidents and should be avoided if it is not urgent.

Farmers should not put their safety at risk by attempting to carry out repairs or remove fallen trees or branches during stormy conditions.

Following the storm, removing fallen trees or branches should only be undertaken by operators with the skills and the personal protective equipment to carry out the work safely.

Fallen electricity wires, and wires in contact with or close to damaged trees, pose a particular risk in the aftermath of a storm.

In these scenarios, the ESB should be contacted immediately where electricity wires pose a risk to safety.

The department also noted that the fishing fleet is particularly vulnerable in stormy conditions, which are expected to be most severe along the western coastline.

Fishers should take particular care to ensure vessels are securely berthed in advance of the storm and follow weather warnings. 

For animal welfare issues connected with severe weather, farmers should keep in touch with their agricultural advisor or contact the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Animal Welfare Helpline on 01 6072379.