Storm Éowyn: Dozens of flights cancelled and thousands of homes without power as high winds batter NI

Homes evacuated during security alert in Derry as storm hits NI
Several homes have been evacuated following reports of a suspicious object in Londonderry.
The alert began shortly after midnight in the Canterbury Park and Winchester Park areas of the city.
Pictures from the scene show police at the scene with several cordons in place.
It’s understood several homes have been evacuated. 

Spar NI has said it will close during the red weather warning 

“Your safety is our priority therefore shoppers may experience SPAR store closures during the red weather warning on Friday 24th January. Stores will aim to reopen one hour after the red alert lifts, if it is safe to do so.

“Keep an eye on your local store social media accounts for the most up to date information. 

“Please stay safe.”

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “I would urge people to follow the advice of the police and to stay home and stay safe until this major storm passes through.

“The key focus of the Health and Social Care system is on maintaining safe services for acutely unwell patients within our inpatient facilities and protecting urgent and emergency care.

“All parts of the health service are working hard on contingency planning and in providing vital services for those who are most vulnerable. Patients with GP appointments, booked for tomorrow, who have not already been contacted by their Practice, should phone their GP Practice for advice before making a decision to travel.

“Urgent and Emergency Care services will remain open as normal. Given the advice not to travel patients are encouraged to use the Phone First Service for their local HSC Trust before travelling to an Emergency Department.

“Of course, you should not hesitate to call 999 if you or someone you care for is experiencing a life-threatening emergency.

“The message to patients and service users is that they should assume any scheduled appointments and planned procedures are cancelled unless contacted by the Trust to advise otherwise. If your appointment is affected, Trust staff will be in touch to reschedule as soon as possible. I want to reassure patients, particularly those with the most serious conditions, that they will receive new appointments as soon as possible.”

It is expected that the severe disruption tomorrow will have an impact on services over the next few days.

The Minister added: “Staff in all parts of health and social care have been working under tremendous pressure in recent weeks and I know they will do all they can to provide vital services for patients and service users tomorrow, as they do each and every day. Please support them in their efforts and I hope everyone will stay safe.”

Belfast International Airport has issued an update ahead of tomorrow’s storm.
A spokesperson said operations “will be limited” during the red weather warning.
“PSNI have advised that people should not travel on roads within the Met Office’s Red weather warning area – passengers and staff are urged to follow that advice,” they said.
“The airport remains in conversations with airline partners and will seek to facilitate their operations where we are able to do so. Airlines will make decisions on the operations of their own flights. Passengers should continue to contact their airline for their latest flight information. 
“This is a fast-moving situation and flight schedules will continue to change over the coming hours so passengers should continue to check with their airline throughout today and tomorrow. 
“Translink will not operate any airport bus services for the duration of the red weather warning so passengers should make alternative arrangements.
“We will provide updates when we can but we would also advise passengers to check with their airlines for the latest information on their flights.”

This is the message sent to mobile phones across Northern Ireland in the last few minutes, warning people to stay indoors.

Translink’s Director of Service Operations, Ian Campbell, said: “We have worked closely with the multiple emergency planning agencies, and this decision to cancel services is necessary to ensure the safety of all our customers and employees.

“Amber alerts for strong winds are also in effect for most of tomorrow which will likely impact services even after the red alert ends.  We will be working collaboratively with all agencies to assess any damage to both road and rail routes and only resume services when it is safe to do so. 

“There is likely to be fallen trees and extensive debris that will need to be cleared, and bus and train services may need to operate with speed restrictions or operate diversions for bus services if roads are impassable.

“We are urging passengers to check the Translink Journey Planner, website Weather Warning or social media channels for the latest updates in advance of travel.

“We would like to thank all our passengers and staff for their support and patience during these very difficult conditions to ensure everyone’s safety”.

The Department for Infrastructure will close all DVA centres tomorrow, Friday 24 January, due to the Met Office red weather warning issued for Storm Éowyn.

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.

Due to the red weather warning in place for Storm Éowyn and the advice to avoid travel, Translink has announced there will be no bus or train services operating on Friday morning, 24 January and while the red status is in place.

Strangford ferry service will also be suspended from 7.30am on Friday until further notice.

The service will remain under review throughout Friday and any updates will be issued via Ferry SMS and DfI’s social media channels.

Rathlin Ferry Service 4pm departure from Rathlin and the 4.30pm departure from Ballycastle have been cancelled on Thursday, 23 January, and all sailings will be cancelled on Friday 24 January.

The PSNI has issued a do not travel warning for the period of the red Met office warning tomorrow between 7am and 2pm tomorrow which will see very strong winds and bring a threat to life. Outside the red warning period,  yellow and amber warnings are in place from midnight tonight until midnight Friday with widespread disruption and significant impacts expected.

While staff are on standby to respond to incidents on the roads please be aware that with the adverse conditions expected and advice not to travel during the period of the red warning , this will affect our ability to respond as quickly as usual and incidents will have to prioritised accordingly. The safety of members of the public and our own staff is paramount.