People across Northern Ireland have been urged to stay “informed and prepared” amid danger-to-life red weather warnings in place for Friday.
The Met Office says Storm Éowyn will bring gusts of up to 80mph with the worst conditions expected during the morning and early afternoon.
The advice is not to travel between 7am and 2pm on Friday, with significant disruption to public transport and potential power outages anticipated.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has urged members of the public to exercise care and take necessary precautions.
Adrian Simpson from RoSPA, said:
“The expected conditions are severe, and it is crucial to stay informed and prepared.
“The public’s safety is RoSPA’s top priority.”
Avoid travel: If possible, avoid travelling during the storm. High winds can make driving hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles.
Drive cautiously: If travel is unavoidable, reduce your speed, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and be alert for debris on the road.
Check routes: Stay updated on road conditions and closures by checking local traffic reports and weather updates.
At Home:
Secure loose items: Ensure that outdoor furniture, bins, and other loose items are secured or brought indoors to prevent them from being blown away.
Stay indoors: Remain indoors as much as possible. Keep windows and doors closed to prevent wind damage.
Emergency kit: Prepare an emergency kit with essentials such as water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, and a first aid kit.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) also issued advice to the public, in particular urging farmers, fishers and those in rural areas to take precautions.
Forest and Country Parks and Public Angling Estate: DAERA “strongly advises members of the public not to visit any forests, country parks or nature reserves until the weather warning has ended”. Sites will be closed to vehicle access as far as possible during this time, as will public facilities including visitor centres, cafés and toilets.
Farmers and livestock owners: Farmers are asked to “remain vigilant and be mindful of their own safety when protecting their premises and livestock”.
Advice to farmers is:
- Ensure livestock are in a sheltered, secure area away from trees.
- Secure all loose objects that may be blown around the farmyard.
- Close and secure all doors, gates and windows.
- Check and test backup generators and equipment, never use stand by generators indoors, as the fumes from the engine can be lethal.
- Do not attempt to repair damage while the storm is in progress.
- Animals may behave erratically during high winds and extra care should be take when working with or moving stock.
- Once the storm has passed, when checking the farm and livestock, tell someone where you are going, how long you will be and wear appropriate, high visibility clothing.
