Emergency teams on standby as Hurricane Lorenzo looms

There's a storm a-comin'...

Hurricane Lorenzo is brewing. Currently being monitored by Met Éireann, the category 5 hurricane comes with a degree of uncertainty with regards to its path and whether or not it will heavily impact Ireland. As it stands, Lorenzo is expected to transition into a tropical storm by the time it reaches the country later this week. As of Tuesday morning, emergency teams are on standby, with a meeting of the National Emergency Coordination Group said to be ready at short notice. Speaking with JOE on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government notes that at time of writing, no decision has been made with regard to convening for such a meeting. Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy issued a statement late on Monday night noting that the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency management in his department is working with Met Éireann to track the hurricane. Murphy noted that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has confirmed that high seas and potential storm surges may occur along the coastline. "We have contacted all local authorities, requesting that they monitor Met Éireann’s forecasts, and prepare for storm impacts by activating Crisis Management and Local Co-ordination arrangements," said the minister. "We have also contacted DTTS (Transport Operators and IRCG), An Garda Síochána (public safety messaging), ESBN, OPW and Irish Water." Murphy added that all departments have been requested to have their staff on standby in the event of a required emergency meeting at short notice. The latest update from Met Éireann, meanwhile, reiterates that Hurricane Lorenzo is anticipated to decrease in force before it reaches Ireland. https://twitter.com/MetEireann/status/1178975681511907329