Strong winds weather warning - information and advice

Date published: 23 January 2025

Weather warning

The Met Office has sent out weather warnings for strong winds.

Weather warnings let the public and emergency services know about potentially hazardous conditions.

You can find out more about weather warnings and what you should expect on the Met Office website.

Emergency numbers

You should note the following numbers in case of emergency:

• emergency services – 999 or 112
• Northern Ireland Electricity Networks – 03457 643 643
• NI Gas Emergency Service – 0800 002 001
• Northern Ireland Water Waterline – 03457 440 088
• Flooding Incident Line – 0300 2000 100
• Housing Executive – 03448 920 901

Report a fallen tree or blocked road

You can report a fallen tree or blocked road at the following link:

• Report an obstruction on a road or street 

Reporting a power cut

If your power is off and you want to report it or get more information, contact NIE Networks or visit their website:

• NIE Networks Customer Helpline: 03457 643 643
• Power cuts

You can find an updated list of areas affected by power cuts on the NIE Networks website.

Roads information

You can get the latest updates about roads at this link:

• TrafficwatchNI

Where roads are closed, follow road signs and any diversions in place.

Check weather and travel advice

Plan your journey and check the latest weather and travel advice.

When conditions are bad, ask yourself if you can put off your journey until the weather improves.

You can find information about driving in bad weather at this link:

• Driving in adverse weather conditions

Public transport

There will be no bus or train services operating on Friday morning, 24 January and while the red weather warning is in place (7.00 am to 2.00 pm).

For the latest information on bus and train services, go to the Translink website.

Strangford and Rathlin ferry services

Strangford ferry service will be suspended from 7.30 am on Friday 24 January until further notice.

The service will stay under review throughout Friday and any updates will be issued via Ferry SMS and the Department for Infrastructure's (DfI) social media channels.

All Rathlin Ferry Service sailings are cancelled on Friday 24 January.

School closures

All schools in Northern Ireland have been advised to close on Friday 24 January.

When schools are affected by bad weather, you can find information at this link:

• School closures

Further Education colleges and universities

All Further Education college and university campuses in Northern Ireland will be closed on Friday 24 January.

Forests, country parks and nature reserves

You're strongly advised not to visit forests, country parks and nature reserves until the strong winds weather warning is over. This is because of the increased risks of fallen trees, branches and debris.  

Sites will be closed to vehicle access as far as possible during the warning, as will public facilities, including visitor centres, cafés and toilets. 

Public access at any sites affected by the high winds will be reinstated as soon as possible.

• Forest news and events

MOT and driving tests

The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) has cancelled all vehicle tests (MOTs), practical driving tests and driving theory tests scheduled to take place on Friday 24 January.

All affected customers will receive an email to confirm that their appointment has been cancelled.

The DVA will contact customers by email, as soon as possible, to confirm details of a new appointment.

Customers do not need to take any action.

Jobs and Benefits offices and Department for Communities offices 

All Jobs and Benefits offices will be closed on Friday 24 January.

• staff working remotely will provide a limited service
• benefit payments due while the office is closed will still be paid by the date due
• Universal Credit customers can use online service and journal as usual
• telephone calls will be handled by staff working remotely
• Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) signing is excused
• staff will contact affected customers for telephone or alternative in-person appointments

All Department for Communities offices, including the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI), Dunluce Castle and Carrickfergus Castle will also be closed.

Courts and tribunals

All Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals buildings will be closed on Friday 24 January, and the public are advised not to travel to court.

Court business will be dealt with remotely, administratively or adjourned.

Emergency or urgent applications will also be dealt with remotely.

Land and Property Services (LPS) offices

Land and Property Services (LPS) offices will be closed on Friday 24 January. Customers can still access services online and by telephone

General Register Office for Northern Ireland

Colby House will be closed on Friday 24 January.

There will be no access to the Public Search Room or the Public Counter.

Orders can still be placed online and by phone, however:

• there will be no next day deliveries available
• priority processing applications will also be affected

Public libraries

All public libraries, mobile libraries and administration centres are closed on Friday 24 January but you can still use online services.

There will also be no Homecall Service.

There will be no Out of Hours services until Monday 27 January. 

All planned events and activities are cancelled.

Potential disruption to services may continue over the weekend - check the Libraries NI social media for updates.

Local councils

If local council services are affected by bad weather, the latest information should be available on council websites.

• Local councils 

Advice for road users

All road users are asked to pay attention to any road signs and temporary arrangements put in place during severe weather. 

Longer journey times or cancellations are possible if road, rail, air and ferry services are affected.

Some roads and bridges could close.

High-sided vehicles are most affected by windy weather, but strong gusts can also blow a car, cyclist, motorcyclist or horse rider off course. This can happen:

• on open stretches of road exposed to strong cross winds
• when passing bridges or gaps in the hedges

In very windy weather a vehicle may be affected by turbulence created by large vehicles. Motorcyclists are particularly affected, so keep well back from them when they are overtaking a high-sided vehicle.

Motorists are also advised to drive with care due to possible wind-blown debris.

Travel advice

If you're planning to travel by air or sea, check with the ferry company or airline in case there are delays or cancellations.

• Ferry services
• Air travel and disability
• Air travel

Strong winds advice

You should: 

• keep your property in a well-maintained condition (for example replace/ repair any loose roof tiles, guttering, and so on that could potentially come loose and cause injury or damage to property)
• secure loose objects such as ladders, garden furniture, wheelie bins, trampolines, or anything else that could be blown around
• close and securely fasten doors and windows
• park vehicles in a garage (if you have one) or keep them clear of buildings, trees, walls, and fences
• make sure you are prepared in case there is a power cut

During a storm you should:

• stay indoors as much as possible
• if you do go out, try not to walk or shelter close to buildings and trees 
• not go outside to repair damage while the storm is ongoing
• avoid all work at height
• not drive unless your journey is really necessary 
• if you're a farmer, not enter fields bordered by trees or with powerlines unless absolutely necessary

After a storm you should:

• be careful not to touch any electrical/ telephone cables that have been blown down or are still hanging
• not walk too close to walls, buildings, and trees as they could have been weakened
• check for damage and make sure any such damage is secured, when it is safe to do so

Preparing for a power cut

It's important to be prepared for a potential loss of power. You should:

• know where your household fuses and trip switches are so you can check if the problem is with your electrics only
• test smoke alarms regularly 
• keep a supply of new batteries in torches and radios (for checking updates on news bulletins)
• keep a supply of candles
• keep mobile phones, laptops or tablets fully charged – so you will have use of battery power for a short time at least 
• have the telephone numbers you might need to hand (as well as mobile phones, a non-mains powered landline telephone will help you stay in touch during a power cut)
• if you have a baby at home:
  • make sure you have a supply of pre-prepared formula baby milk (if used)
  • prepare a flask of hot water to heat bottles and baby food (it is always safer to make up a fresh feed - when this is not possible, feeds should never be stored for longer than 24 hours)

If you depend on electrical equipment that is vital to your health, contact Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Networks to get on their medical customer care register:

• Medical customer care register

If your electricity goes off

If your electricity goes off, you should:

• check your fuses and trip switches - then check if your neighbours are without power
• leave one light on
• leave your fridge/ freezer switched on with the door shut to keep a low temperature
• check that other electrical appliances and machinery are switched off at the wall
• preferably use a torch, oil or gas lamp as a source of light rather than candles
• if you must use naked flames, take extra care and make sure they are put out before you go to bed
• check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours in your area to make sure they're okay
• if using a generator, be careful where you put it in case of carbon monoxide poisoning

Flooding 

If any flooding happens, you can report it by phoning the Flooding Incident Line on 0300 2000 100.

The Flooding Incident Line is available 24 hours a day, every day. You can report flooding problems on roads or burst water mains and blocked drains.

When you phone, a member of staff will:

• take your details
• contact the appropriate agency on your behalf

This is a non-emergency number, so if you are in danger, call the emergency services on 999.

There is general flooding advice in the following section, including preparing for a flood and what to do if flooding happens:

• Flooding in your area

Financial help if your house floods

If your home is flooded due to heavy rainfall, contact the local council and ask about their emergency payments scheme.

• Scheme for Emergency Financial Assistance 

Water supply

If there are difficulties with water and sewerage, you will get the most up-to-date information on areas experiencing disruption on the NI Water website. This includes a full postcode search facility. 

Older people, people with a serious medical condition, or people who need extra help for any other reason can join the NI Water customer care register to get a range of free extra services.

• NI Water customer care register

You can also phone Waterline 24 hours a day/ 365 days a year on:

• 03457 440088

More useful links

• Be ready for emergencies
• Energy, power supply and utilities
• Gas safety and carbon monoxide
• Severe weather, storms, flooding and drought