Storm Eowyn has bought 114mph winds battering the UK and millions of Brits are being told do not travel and stay home as there is a real risk to life.
Around 334 flights have been cancelled across airports rail operators have cancelled journeys and hundreds of schools are closed.
In Ireland winds speeds of 114mph was recorded which is the fastest since records started and people in Northern Ireland are being told to stay at home as they are now in the “eye of the storm.”
More than 800,000 people are without power in Ireland on Friday morning and early in the morning Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland received a top-level warning for wind.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill warned there is a “genuine threat to life and property” and they are now “in the eye of the storm.”
“We’re asking the public to be very safe, to be very cautious, to take every precaution to ensure that they don’t take any unnecessary travel, please just stay at home if you can,” she told BBC Radio Ulster.
“We’re in the eye of the storm now. We are in the period of the red alert.”
The deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said it was a “very serious storm”.
“The storm will blow over,” she said.
“The worst of it is here at the moment and over the next number of hours. But, of course, we will get through that.”
The chairman of Ireland’s National Emergency Co-ordination Group, Keith Leonard said, “It is going to be a damaging, dangerous and destructive weather event.
“The forecast winds will bring severe conditions which will constitute a risk to life and property.
“Our most important message today is that everybody needs to shelter in place for the duration of all red warnings.
“We are likely to see significant and widespread power outages, so I would encourage everyone to prepare ahead. Make sure phones, torches and laptops are fully charged.”
Leave a Comment