Storm Eowyn supermarket closures in wake of 'danger to life' red warnings
The UK is set to be battered by gusts of up to 100mph as Storm Eowyn sweeps in from the Atlantic and it is expected to cause widespread disruption with the Met Office issuing a maximum red warning
The UK is set to be battered by gusts of up to 100mph as Storm Eowyn sweeps in from the Atlantic and it is expected to cause widespread disruption with the Met Office issuing a maximum red warningThe UK could see gusts of up to 100mph (
Image: PA)
Supermarkets have been closed and schools have been advised to shut as people have been urged not to travel in parts of the UK due to dangerous gusts from Storm Eowyn.
The Met Office has issued warnings for wind across the UK, with the worst of the storm expected to strike from the early hours of Friday across Scotland and Northern Ireland, where winds could reach up to 100mph. Forecasters say flying debris could result in danger to life and âvery dangerousâ driving conditions because of fallen trees.
A number of supermarkets across Northern Ireland have announced they will close on Friday due to Storm Eowyn. Lidl stores across the country will not open during the hours that the red weather warning issued by the Met Office remains in place.
Schools in Northern Ireland have also been advised to close on Friday, with the weather warning in place from 7am to 2pm, forecasting strong winds and causing very dangerous conditions. Widespread disruption was expected with significant impacts. The warning is also in parts of southern Scotland between 10am and 5pm, with widespread disruption expected.
The weather warnings in place (
Image:
Met Office)
In a statement a Lidl spokesperson told BelfastLive: "Due to Storm Ăowyn, all Lidl Ireland/Lidl Northern Ireland stores will close on Friday January 24 during any red weather warning that is in place. Stores are planned to reopen one hour after weather warnings lift in local areas, if safe to do so. Customers are advised to check latest weather warning information for their local area. Stay safe."
Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan said the Education Authority has put forward that all schools should close tomorrow. âI understand this will impact on the work of schools and indeed on other businesses and services, but the decision has been taken to avoid any potential risk to life for children and young people as well as staff,â he said. âSchools should put plans in place today for remote learning so that pupils can study at home.â
And people are being advised to not travel by several rail operators including Avanti West Coast which has urged people against travelling north of Preston or on any North Wales route.
Storm Eowyn heading towards the UK
TransPennine is "urging" against travel between Manchester, Liverpool and Scotland, as well as York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. While LNER is advising people not to travel to and from stations north of York. At the same time Scotland' First Minister John Swinney has announced at the Scottish Parliament that people should not travel in areas covered by the rare red weather warning.
Forecasters are warning of flying debris resulting in danger to life, as well as âvery dangerousâ driving conditions because of fallen trees. There may also be power cuts, damage to buildings and homes, and delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights.
Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said on Thursday: âWe reserve the issuing of red warnings for the most severe weather which represents a likely danger to life and severe disruption, and that is the case with Storm Eowyn.
âWhile it will be widely very windy on Friday, with additional hazards from rain and snow, the strongest winds and most significant impacts are likely in Northern Ireland and central and south-western parts of Scotland within the red warning areas, where winds could gust 80-90mph quite widely for a time, and potentially up to 100mph for exposed coasts in particular.â