Weather Warning

The Met Office have now issued a red weather warning for Northern Ireland, the warning will be valid from 7:00 on Friday morning until 14:00 hours on Friday and will apply to all of Northern Ireland.

More information on how this will impact Council services will be updated throughout the day.

As a result of Storm Éowyn, The Met Office have issued both yellow and amber weather warnings for Northern Ireland this Friday 24th January.

Currently, the yellow warning will span from 00:00 – 23:59 on Friday with an amber warning also in place from 06:00 – 21:00 on Friday.

The Met Office advises that damaging gusts may reach 65-75MPH widely on Friday morning with some places potentially seeing 80-90MPH.

What to expect during the amber warning:

• Damage to buildings and homes is possible, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down

• Flying debris could result in a danger to life

• Roads, bridges and railway lines may close, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights

• Power cuts could occur and affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage

• There is potential for large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.

As such Council has taken the added precaution of closing a number of our outdoor recreation sites for the duration of the weather warning.

All sites will reopen following safety inspections that will take place after the warning has expired.

Sites that will be closed:

• All Harbours and Marinas within the Borough
• Ramore Head, Portrush
• Anderson Park, Coleraine
• Riverside Park, Ballymoney
• Garvagh Forest
• Christie Park, Coleraine
• Cottage Wood, Cushendall

Due to the extreme weather conditions, we would discourage members of the public from driving onto Benone Strand, Castlerock Beach and Downhill Strand.

We would also advise the public to avoid cliff paths and headlands, harbour piers, forest or woodland park areas during this period.

Useful emergency numbers if you need them during the Met Office weather warnings for strong winds in place today:

Emergency Services: 999 or 112

Flooding Incident Line: 0300 2000 100

NI Electricity Networks: 03457 643 643

NI Gas Emergency Service: 0800 002 001

NI Water: 03457 440 088

Housing Executive: 03448 920 901