Around five million people in the UK will receive government emergency alerts on their phones due to Storm Éowyn, expected to bring hurricane-force winds up to 160mph, particularly in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Met Office has issued rare red weather warnings, emphasizing life-threatening conditions from flying debris and fallen trees. Alerts will activate a loud siren even if phones are silent. The storm may disrupt travel and utilities, with many schools in affected areas preparing for closures. Experts warn this could be the strongest storm in decades, with significant impacts expected across the region.
Around five million Brits will receive government emergency alerts on their mobile phones this evening as Storm Éowyn hits the UK in the coming hours, bringing hurricane-force winds and traffic disruption.
The Met Office has issued a severe warning of “unusual” hurricane-force winds, with the worst storm Éowyn expected to develop across Scotland and Northern Ireland from the early hours of Friday, with winds potentially reaching 160mph. There is.
Forecasters said flying debris could be deadly, fallen trees could create “very dangerous” driving conditions, and strong waves could wash away coastlines. This is why pet owners are being warned to keep their dogs on a leash.
The Met Office will send an emergency alert to the phones of people affected by red wind alerts in parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland early this evening.
The alert plays a loud siren sound for 10 seconds, even on phones set to silent, and includes information about the weather warning and advice on how to stay safe.
This will be the largest live use of an emergency alert system in British history.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “The Met Office has issued a red wind alert for Friday 24 January, meaning there is a risk to life in parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland.”
The Met Office will send emergency alerts to the phones of people affected by red wind alerts in parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland early this evening.
The Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for Storm Éowyn, warning of wind gusts of up to 160mph and “flying debris posing a threat to life”.
A man struggles with an umbrella in the wind and rain in the face of Storm Éowyn on Hampstead Heath, north London.
“Given the worsening weather conditions and the resulting disruption, and in consultation with the Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive, the Cabinet Office is issuing an emergency warning for people affected by the warning in parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland early this evening. I plan to.”
“The emergency alert system will send a message to all compatible mobile phones in the most dangerous areas with information about weather warnings and guidance to stay safe.
“Even if my cell phone is set to silent mode, it makes a loud siren-like sound.The sound and vibration last for about 10 seconds.
“This is the largest practical use of this tool to date, with approximately 4.5 million people receiving emergency alerts.
“The UK Government has well planned for severe winter weather and is working with local and regional authorities, emergency services and other public sector teams to coordinate a response to the disruption.”
It comes as a suspected mini-tornado left a trail of destruction in Cornwall, blowing away trees, destroying cars and destroying roofs.
Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland has the potential to be the storm of the century, BBC Weather reported. Irish weather forecasters have already issued a full red weather warning for the entire country due to strong winds of more than 80mph.
But forecasters predict that tomorrow’s wind gusts could reach 140mph on the west coast of Ireland and 110mph in the Western Isles of Scotland.
A tornado from Storm Éowyn hits a caravan holiday park in Cornwall
Numerous static villas jump off their foundations and are destroyed by tornadoes
Tornado from Storm Ewin hits Cornish village
Homes at Quintrell Downs lost part of their roofs and trees were downed.
The fifth storm of the season could be very bad, with BBC weather presenter Judith Ralston saying: “This is a big storm.” I’ve never seen anything like that in my career. ”
Another weather expert has warned that Storm Éowyn could bring Scotland the lowest pressure since 1982, making it one of the “strongest” storms to hit the country in recent history.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney told the country’s parliament on Thursday that people in areas under a red weather warning should not travel, while Stormont Education Minister Paul Givean said education authorities were warning all of Northern Ireland that It said it had advised schools to close on Friday.
A warning will be in place for Northern Ireland from 7am to 2pm on Friday, and from 10am to 5pm in parts of Scotland.
Mr Jivan said: “While we understand that this will impact on school operations and indeed other businesses and services, this decision has been taken to avoid any potential risk to the lives of children, young people and staff. has been handed down,” he said.
“Schools need to start planning for distance learning now so students can study from home.”
A total of 19 local authorities in Scotland have now announced that all schools in their area will be closed due to Storm Éowyn on Friday.
Stirling, Falkirk and Angus councils all announced via social media that all schools would be closed under a red weather warning due to come into effect at 10am on Friday.
The aftermath of Storm Éowyn, which hit Quintrell Downs in Cornwall on January 23rd
As Storm Éowyn hits Cornwall – a small ‘tornado’ leaves a trail of destruction
They are Glasgow, Edinburgh, East Ayrshire, East Lothian, Fife, North and South Lanarkshire, North Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Midlothian, East and West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde, Argyll and Bute, Claxmananshire and Falkirk. participates in all school and nursery councils. We will be closed.
A yellow weather warning for winds was in place for northern England from 6am to 9pm, and a yellow weather warning was in place for much of southern England for the rest of Friday.
Paul Gundersen, the Met Office’s chief meteorologist, said Thursday: “We reserve the red alert for the most severe weather events where there is a risk to life or significant disruption, and this is also the case with Storm Éowyn.” said.
“Friday will be broadly very windy with further danger from rain and snow expected, but the strongest winds and most severe impacts are likely to be in the Red Alert area where gusts are possible. Wind speeds can reach 80 to 90 mph over very wide areas, and up to 160 mph, especially on exposed coasts.
The AA has issued updated advice for people traveling to areas subject to red weather warnings.
Chris Wood, AA Patrolman of the Year, said: “As the alert has been raised from amber to red in the far north and west of England, we urge motorists to consider whether they need to make their own journeys and to consider whether it is not necessary. We are urging them to postpone the meeting if that is the case.”
“If you must travel, be prepared for what you may encounter, especially in rural areas, where you can expect to encounter fallen branches and other debris on the road.
“It may take longer than usual, so please arrive in plenty of time. Please bring emergency supplies such as warm waterproof clothing, a flashlight, and a flask of hot liquid in case something breaks down.” Please pack it.
“Make sure your phone is fully charged and download the AA app and what3words so you can quickly contact us if the worst happens.”
Earlier today it was reported that the UK could be hit with “unprecedented” hurricane-force winds, torrential rain and heavy snow tomorrow, which could bring traffic to a standstill in some areas.
Storm Éowyn could also cause travel hell, with Network Rail warning it will bring the “strongest winds in a decade”, with commuters told to avoid traveling in parts of northern England tomorrow. are.
Forecasters have warned of “very dangerous” driving conditions due to potentially life-threatening flying debris and fallen trees. There may also be power outages, damage to buildings and homes, and delays or cancellations of buses, trains, ferries, and flights.
This is also the first red weather warning issued for Northern Ireland since the Met Office moved to impact-based warnings in 2011.
STV meteorologist Sean Batty warned that the storm could be the worst to hit Scotland since Hurricane Beaubag (officially known as Friedhelm) in 2011.
But just a few weeks later, in January 2012, an even more powerful storm hit central Scotland, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power.
He said: “In terms of storm strength, we use central pressure to assess the strength of this storm, and ‘Beaubag’ reached a low pressure of 945 megabytes over the Western Islands. “This is the lowest pressure recorded in the UK since January 2000.” .
Although the January 2012 storm was windier, the cyclone was not as strong as December, when 952mb of pressure was recorded.
“At present it looks like pressure could drop to less than 940mb near Tiree in Eowyn on Friday morning, the lowest in the UK since the 1982 storm when pressure dropped to 937mb at Stornoway. It could be the center of the deepest storm ever recorded.”
