Derry may be calm at present, but the region has been placed on “amber alert” with gale force winds forecast for later today.
Northern Ireland had been on a “yellow`’ but that has now been upgraded to the more dangerous “amber alert” by the Met Office who now predict stronger winds which could see gusts reach 90 mph with heavy rain also expected.
The Met Office says members of the public should be prepared for disruption to transport and possibly power supplies.
A spokesperson said: “A rapidly deepening area of low pressure will pass close to north west UK later on Wednesday and during the first part of Thursday. There is still some uncertainty about the exact track of the swathe of strongest winds and peak gusts, but in combination with heavy rain and some coastal flooding, the storm has the potential to bring some significant disruption.”
Homeowners have been advised to secure outdoor Christmas decorations and loose garden furniture/trampolines or risk them being blown away and destroyed.
Air passengers are also advised to check with City of Derry Airport where gale force winds on Saturday last saw incoming and outgoing flights diverted to George Best City Airport in Belfast.
Also at the weekend, Foyle Bridge was closed to high-sided vehicles for several hours while all other traffic was restricted to 30mph.
As at the weekend and as a precaution, Northern Ireland Electricity has initiated an “escalation plan” and placed emergency crews, engineers and call handlers on standby.
An NIE spokesperson said: “We would like to remind customers that if they do lose electricity supplies they should contact the NIE Customer Helpline on 08457 643 643 or report the fault online at nie.co.uk.”
Meanwhile, Met Eireann has also increased its weather warning for Donegal – to a dangerous “red” status.
The warning had been at a status orange alert but has been upgraded to the relatively red warning.
During such events people are advised to stay indoors and even to move their families.
Met Eireann is warning people that gusts of up to 120mph could hit Donegal later today.
Winds are expected to increase by late afternoon and will get stronger by this evening.
Met Eireann is also warning that high seas will make coastal areas along Donegal will also be open to being lashed by the storm.
Met Eireann explains “The issue of Red level severe weather warnings should be a comparatively rare event and implies that recipients take action to protect themselves and/or their properties; this could be by moving their families out of the danger zone temporarily; by staying indoors; or by other specific actions aimed at mitigating the effects of the weather conditions.”
People are also being advised to move objects from their gardens indoors and not to make unnecessary journeys.
ESB crews are also on standby in case of power outages.
The weather system has been named Storm Emily after Emily Brontë, the author who died on 19 December 19, 165 years ago, and who wrote Wuthering Heights which featured constant stormy weather.
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