Storm Éowyn: Tens of thousands of homes without power and dozens of flights cancelled 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.