Millions get Storm Éowyn emergency alert from Government in Scotland

Millions of people in Scotland have received an emergency alert to their mobile phones from the Government in Scotland after the Met Office in the UK issued a red danger to life warning for wind.

As Micheál Martin was appointing Goverment Ministers to his new Cabinet, the Scottish Cabinet Office sent out an around 6pm on Thursday in response to Storm Eowyn which has led to a Status Red Alert for all of Ireland.

The Cabinet Office alert meant compatible mobile phones made a loud siren-like sound and was sent to 22 council areas in Scotland including the big city of Glasgow. It is reported to be the largest real-life use of the emergency system to date.

Scottish Parliament, First Minister John Swinney is the equivalent of Ireland's Taoiseach. Mr Swinney chaired a meeting of the Scottish Government Resilience Room – Scotland’s national crisis team – on Thursday afternoon. He warned about what is coming.

“The storm could bring winds up to 100mph. The Met Office advice is clear, the potential impacts include danger to life, structural damage to property and transport and power disruptions.

“We have to be clear, people should not travel. Our message is simple, please follow the advice from the Met Office and the police, take this seriously and stay safe,” he said.

As in Ireland Sottish trains will be suspended, hundreds of schools will close. Scottish police have warned people not to travel in the areas affected by a rare red warning issued for parts of Scotland on Friday.

UK forecasters warn gusts of up to 100mph during Storm Éowyn could result in flying debris and pose a danger to life, and people are urged to stay indoors.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “The Met Office has issued a red warning for wind on Friday January 24, 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.”

Police said no road users should travel in or to the red weather warning area, while train operator ScotRail said all services will be suspended across Scotland on Friday due to safety concerns.

Forecasters said the conditions bring a “risk of significant disruption to transport and power supplies as well as dangerous conditions outdoors”, with “very dangerous” driving conditions because of fallen trees and other debris.

They also warned of the potential for damage to buildings and homes.

Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan said: “Our advice to any road user is not travelling, and that’s really the message we want to get across today.

“It’s really unusual for us to have a red weather warning and that advice is in place for the duration of that warning.”

The Scottish Parliament itself will be closed all day on Friday because of the storm, with only essential staff on site.