Storm Éowyn: Northern Ireland battered overnight - with even stronger gusts of wind on the way

Northern Ireland has been battered overnight by strong gusts of wind - even before its first-ever Red weather warning kicked in.

Already, more than 93,000 homes and businesses across Northern Ireland are without power - with wind speeds expected up to 100mph.

A spokesperson for NIE Networks said: "However, restoration efforts will take significant time as crews cannot begin to work until it is safe to do so. We anticipate we will begin assessing the damage to the network after 2pm once the red weather warning has been lifted.

"We strongly advise customers, particularly anyone vulnerable, to shelter where you are until the red weather warning is lifted. Once the severe weather warnings are lifted, if your power is out, consider joining friends and relatives who have power."

In addition, schools, supermarkets, shopping centres and MoT centres have been closed while there's been a clear message from the PSNI to stay at home.

Last night thousands of mobile phone users got an emergency alert warning them to stay indoors

Translink has suspended all bus and train services with flights and sailings also impacted.

The rare Red alert means there is a potential danger to life along with widespread disruption of electricity cuts and uprooted trees.

The PSNI yesterday declared a major incident and said it expected the strongest winds in the region since the Boxing Day storm in 1998 which caused widespread disruption.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly urged people to stay at home where they can and check in on vulnerable people.

Ms O'Neill described an "evolving situation" which they are "very closely monitoring".

"But the key message is to stay safe, to look after yourself, to look after your family and to look after your friends and check in on those people who are more vulnerable," she said.

Ms Little-Pengelly added that experienced emergency teams are ready to respond during the expected severe weather in Northern Ireland on Friday.

"A red alert has been issued for the entire of Northern Ireland," she said.

"This is highly unusual, this means between 7am and 2pm tomorrow there is a likelihood of widespread disruption, danger to life and damage to buildings, and our strong advice and the advice of the PSNI is to stay at home if at all possible."

Meanwhile, the chairman of Ireland'sNational Emergency Co-ordination Group, Keith Leonard, said Storm Eowyn will be one of the most severe storms Ireland has seen.

"It is going to be a damaging, dangerous and destructive weather event," he said in Dublin on Friday.

"The forecasted winds will bring severe conditions which will constitute a risk to life and property.

"Our most important message today is that everybody needs to shelter in place for the duration of all red warnings.

"We are likely to see significant and widespread power outages, so I would encourage everyone to prepare ahead. Make sure phones, torches and laptops are fully charged."

The coastal town of Donaghadee in Co Down was among those making preparations on Thursday night.

Some businesses placed sandbags at their doors, while others displayed signs to say they would be closed until after the red level alert expires on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Dublin Airport announced more than 110 scheduled departures and 110 arrivals have been cancelled by airlines for Friday.

Met Eireann reported the mean wind speed record of 81mph set in 1945 at Foynes Co. Limerick has been broken during the storm.

The weather service said gusts of up to 108mph Mace Head off Ireland's west coast by 4am on Friday.

The storm has caused extensive and widespread damage to the electricity network, with power outages nationwide affecting 560,000 homes, farms and businesses.

ESB says it expects significant further outages as Storm Eowyn moves across the country.