Northern Ireland in ‘eye of the storm’ – O’Neill
Northern Ireland in ‘eye of the storm’ – O’Neill
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Northern Ireland is in “the eye of the storm” with a real threat to life and property, the First Minister has said. Some 93,000 homes and businesses were without electricity and police said there were more than 70 reports of trees down and other obstructions on the roads early on Friday as Storm Eowyn battered the region.
Schools, colleges, the courts and many shops are closed while public transport is suspended and some health appointments have been postponed amid a top-level red warning for wind. A number of flights have also been cancelled, including 16 departures and 16 arrivals at Belfast International Airport and 23 departures and 20 arrivals at Belfast City Airport.
The Met Office has issued a red alert, which covers all of Northern Ireland from 7am on Friday until 2pm, and is warning of “very dangerous conditions” and “widespread disruption”. NIE Networks said it has activated its emergency plans in response to Storm Eowyn, and said efforts to restore power will start after 2pm when the red weather warning has been lifted.
Police said Friday is expected to see the strongest winds in the region since the Boxing Day storm in 1998 which caused widespread disruption. Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said there have been wind speeds in excess of 70mph. “We’re seeing significant amounts of debris right across the road network,” he told BBC Radio Ulster.
