Updated Advice - Stay Safe during Storm Ashley
Partners from various agencies have been gathering over the weekend to prepare for Storm Ashley, expected to bring heavy winds until midnight tonight, Sunday, October 20.
The Met Office has released an AMBER alert for powerful and potentially disruptive winds, which will be in effect from 1 PM to 8 PM for the counties of Fermanagh, Tyrone, Derry, and northern Antrim. Additionally, all counties will stay under a YELLOW warning, indicating a medium level of impact, until midnight.
The combination of powerful winds, elevated spring tides, and big waves can create a tidal surge, leading to potential disturbances.
Employees from all agencies have kept an eye on the situation throughout the weekend and are equipped to react to any effects. The weather may cause debris on the roads, downed trees, and crashing waves in exposed coastal regions. Because of the risk of high waves, coastal roads could also experience flooding. Please remember to avoid driving through floodwaters.
As a precaution against Storm Ashley, temporary flood barriers have been set up along the River Lagan near Lockview Road and Cutters as part of the Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any disruption this may cause to those traveling in the area. Staff will be closely observing high tide levels in vulnerable spots along the coast throughout the weekend.
There may be some disruptions to traffic, so it’s important to plan your journey carefully. Stay informed about the latest weather and travel updates, think about whether your trip is really necessary, and take precautions if you need to travel. For details on current weather warnings, check out the section on strong winds for advice and information. Some roads might be closed or have temporary restrictions. Drivers are reminded to follow road signs and any temporary traffic signals. Remember to drive at a safe speed, keep a good distance from the vehicle in front of you, stay alert, and always buckle up. You can find traffic updates at TrafficWatchNI. If you see any obstructions, you can report them at nidirect or call the 24-hour hotline at 0300 200 7899.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is urging people to avoid visiting Forests, Country Parks, and Nature Reserves in the impacted regions until the strong winds calm down. There is a greater chance of falling branches and debris posing a risk. The Department will work to restore public access to these areas as quickly as possible.
We are continuously keeping an eye on river levels and tidal surges, and this will keep happening until the weather warning is lifted. Our river teams are ready to respond and have been inspecting and clearing drainage systems and other important infrastructure. Additionally, we have informed Regional Community Resilience Groups about the weather patterns so they can take the necessary steps to prepare.
The strength of water is clearly visible during a storm when waves slam into docks, piers, and cliffs. While it’s an amazing sight, those powerful surges can quickly knock someone over and put them in danger. Just one wave can pull you into the ocean – no picture or selfie is worth putting your life in jeopardy. If you witness someone being swept away by a wave, please call 999 and request the Coastguard.
NIE Networks is urging everyone to avoid any damaged electrical equipment and to report it right away by calling the Customer Helpline at 03457 643 643. People should never go near a broken pole or downed power line.
If customers encounter a power outage, they can visit Powercheck NI (powercheck.nienetworks.co.uk) for updates, report the issue online, or contact the NIE Networks Customer Helpline at 03457 643 643.
For any media inquiries, please reach out to the Press Office of the Department for Infrastructure at: [email protected].
2. The Executive Information Service provides an after-hours service specifically for media inquiries from 6 PM to 8 AM, Monday through Friday, as well as on weekends and public holidays. You can reach the on-call press officer at 028 9037 8110.
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