Storm Éoywn is expected to bring the strongest winds of this century.
Not since the Boxing Day of 1998 has Northern Ireland been battered as hard by winds.
And it’s causing major disruption across Co Armagh and beyond, with many facilities and services being cancelled.
Follow our live updates over the next 24 hours below.
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18.05pm: PHONE ALERT
It would be hard not to be alarmed by that alarm!!
🚘 5.20pm: MoT and driving tests cancelled
The Department for Infrastructure will close all DVA centres tomorrow, Friday 24 January, due to the Met Office red weather warning issued for Storm Éowyn.
All vehicle tests (MoTs), practical driving tests and driving theory tests will be cancelled. Customers do not need to take any action. All affected customers will receive an email to confirm that their appointment has been cancelled. The DVA will also contact customers by email, as soon as possible, to confirm details of a new appointment.
🚛 5.15pm: ABC COUNCIL UPDATE
Due to Storm Éowyn bringing very dangerous conditions and Stay at Home message issued by PSNI there will be disruption to council services and facilities.
All council facilities and services will be closed on Friday 24 January 2025 – including bin collections. For more info visit: http://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/servicedisruption
🚐 5pm: TRANSPORT DISRUPTION
As a result of the red weather warning in place tomorrow (Friday 24th January) for Storm Éowyn, and the advice to avoid travel, please be aware that there will be no bus or train services operating on Friday morning, 24th January, and while the red status is in place.
Translink’s Director of Service Operations, Ian Campbell, said: “We have worked closely with the multiple emergency planning agencies, and this decision to cancel services is necessary to ensure the safety of all our customers and employees.
“Amber alerts for strong winds are also in effect for most of tomorrow which will likely impact services even after the red alert ends. We will be working collaboratively with all agencies to assess any damage to both road and rail routes and only resume services when it is safe to do so.
“There is likely to be fallen trees and extensive debris that will need to be cleared, and bus and train services may need to operate with speed restrictions or operate diversions for bus services if roads are impassable.
“We are urging passengers to check the Translink Journey Planner, our website: Weather Warning, or our social media channels for the latest updates in advance of travel”.
“We would like to thank all our passengers and staff for their support and patience during these very difficult conditions to ensure everyone’s safety”.
🛍️ 4.50pm: SHOPPING CENTRE CLOSURES
Rushmere: “Due to the severe weather warning, please be advised Rushmere will open at 2pm on Friday 24th January. Please contact individual stores directly for updates on their opening times. Their contact details can be found on our website.
Thank you for understanding, and please take extra care during the weather warning.”
Buttercrane: Due to the severe weather warning in place, Buttercrane Shopping Centre Newry and their retailers will close Friday, 24th January until 3pm.
Anchor tenants will open from 3pm, individual retailers may vary. Please check before travelling. All contact information for their stores can be found on the Buttercrane Centre website www.buttercraneshopping.co.uk
✏️ 4.44pm: NO SCHOOLS
All schools are advised to close. We don’t know of any schools who are not heeding the advice of the NI Executive.
⛪ 4.40pm: NEWRY CATHEDRAL PARISH / ARMAGH PARISH
All parish buildings, including churches, will be closed for the duration of the Red Weather Warning from The Met Office on Friday, 24th January 2025. It is hoped that the evening Mass at St. Brigid’s church may go ahead as usual, but this will be dependent on circumstances.
Armagh Parish: All church buildings and the Parish Office will remain closed tomorrow morning – Mass will be via webcam only. Please take care and travel only where necessary. Be assured of the prayers of the Parish Clergy. Maybe this evening would be an opportunity to check in on elderly and vulnerable neighbours.
🏥 4.33pm: SOUTHERN HEALTH TRUST UPDATE
The safety of all staff and service users across hospital and community services is a Trust priority.
The Met Office’s red weather warning in place for tomorrow Friday, January 24 will mean major disruption to our services.
All outpatient appointments are cancelled and all elective surgery, including red flag and urgent, is cancelled.
Our community staff will continue to prioritise our most vulnerable service users but we ask for the support of family and carers where possible.
Given the advisory not to travel, only come to our Emergency Departments if you have serious symptoms that need hospital care.
Our Phone First service will not be operating tomorrow, phone 999 if the patient is acutely unwell.
The safety of our patients and service users remains our utmost concern and we appeal for public support in ensuring that we are able to care for those who need us most.
Thank you for your continued help and understanding and please keep safe.
https://southerntrust.hscni.net/storm-eowyn-update-on…/
⚠️ 4.28pm: The storm is expected to arrive in Northern Ireland at around midnight on Thursday with a yellow weather warning in place from then until midnight on Friday.
Throughout this twelve hour period the weather warning moves into amber as of 6am on Friday morning and is likely to move to red around an hour later at 7am with the red warning expected to remain in place until at least 2pm on Friday.
