Emergency Alert to be sent to 4.5 million Brits impacted by Storm Éowyn tonight

The government will use the Emergency Alert system to warn around 4.5 million people impacted by Storm Éowyn tonight.

The Cabinet Office confirmed that notifications will be sent to people who live in areas covered by a rare red weather alert.

The Met Office issued the 'danger to life' warning this morning as the potential impact of the fifth named storm of the season became more clear. The whole of Northern Ireland as well as parts of central and southern Scotland are covered by the red alert.

The alerts will be in place from 7am until 2pm on Friday in Northern Ireland, and from 10am until 5pm in Scotland.

The Emergency Alert system, which uses phone masts to send notifications to people in certain areas, will be used to warn people of the dangers of the incoming storm. The alert sets of a siren sound on mobile phones, which lasts for 10 seconds.

The government said around 4.5 million people are set to receive the alert, which will contain guidance on how to prepare for the storm. It is understood the alert will go off at 6pm.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: "The Met Office has issued a red warning for wind on Friday 24th January, meaning there is a danger to life across Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland

"In light of the deteriorating weather conditions and associated disruption, and in consultation with the Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive, the Cabinet Office will issue Emergency Alerts early this evening to people affected by the warnings in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland.

"The Emergency Alert system will send a message to every compatible mobile phone in the areas at most risk, containing information about the weather warnings and guidance on how to stay safe.

"Mobile phones will make a loud siren-like sound even if they are set on silent. The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds.

"Approximately 4.5 million people will receive the Emergency Alert in the largest real life use of the tool to date.

"The UK Government has well rehearsed plans in place for severe winter weather and is working with teams from devolved governments, local authorities, the emergency services and other public bodies to coordinate the response to any disruption."

Last week, the Cabinet Office confirmed that another nationwide test of the Emergency Alert system will be carried out at some point this year. The first nationwide test took place in April 2023 and the system has been used in emergencies on four occasions so far.

Forecasters have warned Storm Éowyn could bring winds of up to 100mph in the worst-hit areas of the UK.

Passengers and motorists in areas covered by red and amber weather warnings have been told to avoid travel “unless absolutely essential”. Train operator ScotRail has suspended all services across Scotland on Friday, saying it “would not be safe to operate passenger services due to forecast weather conditions”.

Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said on Thursday: "We 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 Éowyn.

“While 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.”