We must prepare to weather more extreme storms

Damning report highlights Ireland's inadequacies

- BY DANNY DE VAAL

EXPERTS say Ireland must be better prepared to deal with the next major weather event.

The Climate Change Advisory Council say Storm Darragh and Eowyn exposed our “inadequate” infrastructure in its 2025 Annual Review series.

The damming dossier revealed Ireland's changing climate, projected future changes and the critical need to adapt.

They also stressed Ireland must better monitor climate events while simultaneously radically improving preparedness to respond to rapidly emerging extreme weather.

The weather experts said a “National Climate Damage Register” must also be established to monitor and record the economic, social and environmental impacts of extreme weather events.

In addition, the report said Storm Darragh and Storm Eowyn laid bare Ireland's “inadequate critical infrastructure”.

Storms Isha, Bert and Darragh brought particularly strong winds, high rainfall and significant flood damage in counties Donegal, Kerry, Cork, Limerick and Galway.