The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) is urging “community-minded farmers” to take care and minimise personal risks during Storm Éowyn.

Met Éireann has issued a series of Status Red weather warnings for “severe, damaging and extremely destructive gusts in excess of 130km/h” across the entire country.

The national forecaster said that there will be a “danger to life” as the storm tracks across the country, along with extremely dangerous travelling conditions and significant and widespread power outages.

The highest category of weather warning will come into force at various points in the early hours of Friday morning (January 24) before being gradually lifted later in the day.

Denis Drennan, president of ICMSA, has called on farmers to be “absolutely focussed on safety over the next few days”.

He noted that statistically farming was already a higher risk than most other occupations and appealed for everyone to look after themselves, their families and stock.

Drennan added that farmers should wait until the storm is over before turning their attention to property or buildings.

“The forecasters are giving the storm about 16-18 hours of intense activity and we’d just like farmers to be very conscious of downed trees and particularly downed electricity lines, where farmers might go trying to unblock roads unaware of the status of the power lines.

"We’ve seen just recently where community-minded farmers are usually the first people to respond to extreme weather events in their localities.

"While we are proud of that community spirit and commitment, we have to be mindful of our safety and not feel pressurised to get out and start clearing away damage or fallen trees before it’s safe to do so," he said.

"ICMSA thinks it’s important and prudent to just hunker down and wait this one out, do the necessary jobs only before we go out onto our farms and start inspecting or repairing damage to sheds or roofs.

"Let’s just be extra cautious for this and give the extra few hours till the worst of the winds have died down, keep in contact with family and neighbours and make sure everyone is ok and safe as possible," Drennan added.