PSNI in ‘do not travel’ warning ahead of Storm Éoywn


The storm is expected to arrive in Northern Ireland at around midnight on Thursday with a yellow weather warning in place from then until midnight on Friday. Throughout this twelve hour period the weather warning moves into amber as of 6am on Friday morning and is likely to move to red around an hour later at 7am with the red warning expected to remain in place until at least 2pm on Friday.
A red weather warning means there is a risk to life and as such the public should not travel during this time.
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Hide AdAssistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said: “Storm Éowyn represents an exceptional weather event and is expected to bring sustained wind speeds of up to 100mph to our shores.
“We have declared this a major incident and a red weather alert will be in effect across all areas of Northern Ireland. The public is urged to take the dangers posed by this storm seriously.
“There is expected to be serious disruption across our road network, public transport, schools, health services and other public services.
“The message from police is, do not travel, remain indoors and stay safe.”
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Hide AdIt is anticipated that this storm will bring the strongest winds experienced in Northern Ireland since the 1998 Boxing Day storms which caused widespread damage across infrastructure and impacted on almost all public services. Agencies across Northern Ireland have been making preparations to deal with the impacts of the storm, both throughout and after Éowyn passes.
Assistant Chief Constable Beck continued: “I would encourage people to make preparations now ahead of the storm’s arrival. Ensure your devices are charged so that if you need help, you have a mechanism to use. Ensure you have emergency lighting such as torches easily accessible in the event of power cuts. Have ready access to additional blankets or sources of warmth in the event your heating supply is disrupted. Make checks with your vulnerable family, friends and neighbours to ensure they have adequate provisions in place if carers and so on cannot reach them. And in an emergency call 999.”
Meanwhile, all Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals (NICTS) buildings will be closed on Friday 24 January 2025.
A spokesperson said: “The public should not travel to court tomorrow. Court business will be dealt with remotely, administratively, or adjourned. As court buildings will be closed, emergency or urgent applications will be dealt with remotely.”
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Hide AdThe Department for Infrastructure is closing all DVA centres tomorrow, meaning all vehicle tests (MoTs), practical driving tests and driving theory tests will be cancelled.
Customers do not need to take any action.
All affected customers will receive an email to confirm that their appointment has been cancelled.
The DVA will also contact customers by email, as soon as possible, to confirm details of a new appointment.
A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said that while staff will be on standby to respond to incidents on the roads the public should be aware that with the adverse conditions expected and advice not to travel during the period of the red warning , this will affect their ability to respond as quickly as usual and incidents will have to prioritised accordingly.
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Hide Ad"The safety of members of the public and our own staff is paramount,” they added.
“Multi Agency preparations ongoing since yesterday include the Department for Infrastructure’s roads and rivers teams checking and clearing road gullies and other drainage and infrastructure.
“Monitoring of river levels and sea levels has been ongoing and will continue until the weather warning has elapsed. Regional Community Resilience Groups have also been advised of weather patterns and to make appropriate preparations.”
It is understood that, thanks to a dry January, there are no concerns in the Newry area in relation to river levels but Rivers Agency will be monitoring the situation.
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