Storm Éowyn - ALL THE LATEST

All the latest information as red weather warning issued for violent storm force winds

People are being urged to stay home and schools will be staying closed tomorrow (Friday 24 January) as a red weather warning is issued for Storm Éowyn.

We're being told to only travel if it is 'absolutely necessary'.

Government has confirmed:

• Schools will be closed
•  There will be no Bus Vannin services between 7am and 2pm
•  The A18 Mountain Road will be closed from 5am on Friday
•  Police will monitor the Mountain Road throughout Thursday night and will issue a closure earlier if required
•  High sided vehicles should avoid the Mountain Road from midnight tonight
•  All plantations and glens will be closed from 10 pm tonight until 6 pm Saturday to allow for some assessment after the storm
•  Government public counters will be closed

Private and commercial properties as well as construction sites should be secured in good time.

This includes outdoor items such as play equipment, garden furniture, scaffolding, temporary fencing, bins and storage boxes.

SANDBAGS

For those with properties in areas at risk of coastal overtopping, stocks of sandbags have been deployed today to the following locations.

They are available free of charge in the following locations:

Ramsey

+ Market Square (Commercial Hotel)

+West Quay (Trafalgar Hotel)

+West Quay (Swingbridge)

Laxey

+Laxey Promenade

+Glen Road (DOI Depot)

Douglas

+North Quay (Barbary Coast)

+North Quay (Bridge Hotel)

+Lake Road

+Strathallan Crescent

+ Tromode (Civil Defence HQ)

PLANS

Government says the situation is being 'closely monitored' and preparations by government agencies and emergency services are 'well advanced'.

Downed trees which are causing travel disruption should be reported to the DOI on 672000.

We're being reminded not to approach any downed power lines and to report any issues to Manx Utilities on 687687.

WARNING

The red weather warning will be in effect from 7am until 2pm on Friday, with violent storm force winds expected.

Gusts of up to 85 mph are forecast, particularly in exposed coastal areas and on higher ground, likely resulting in widespread disruption and damage.

OFF-ISLAND TRAVEL

SAILINGS: A number of sailings have been cancelled ahead of the arrival of Storm Éowyn.

The Steam Packet Company has confirmed tomorrow's 1.45am departure from Heysham, the 8am crossing to Heysham, the return sailing at 1.45pm and the 7.15pm sailing have all been called off.

Tonight's 7.15pm service will now leave Douglas at 8pm

The ferry operator says based on the latest forecast the 1.45am crossing on Saturday will depart as scheduled.

FLIGHTS: The airport has confirmed its runway and terminal will be closed until at least 4pm. A further update will be provided by 3pm on Friday.

Passengers are urged to check with their airline before heading to the airport and to allow extra time for journeys.

Loganair’s weather disruption policy allows passengers to change their flight free of charge ahead of time.

HEALTHCARE

Manx Care is advising the public to consider the forecasted weather when making plans for tomorrow.

The services affected are as follows:

• Most planned appointments will be cancelled unless there is a clinical imperative for them to proceed. All patients who are due to attend affected appointments will be contacted to tell them they are cancelled. If you are not contacted, your appointment will be proceeding as normal.

• Essential community visits will still go ahead as normal.

• Learning Disability and Older People day services are suspended temporarily.

• Drop-in vaccination clinic for covid / flu at Morton Hall, Castletown has now been postponed to 31 January 2025.

• The final day of the Healthy Mums, Healthy Baby Week event has been cancelled.

• If you have a planned GP appointment, the practice will contact you if arrangements have changed.

• If you have a planned dental appointment, the practice will contact you if arrangements have changed. Please remember that if you are a patient at a dental practice, your practice is responsible for your emergency dental care and treatment.

• Pharmacies are not scheduled to be closed, but circumstances may change - please contact your pharmacy to check before attending.

Patients travelling off island for treatment:

• If you are a patient who is due to fly to the UK on Friday 24 January via Logainair but your flight has been cancelled, please re-arrange your hospital appointment directly with the UK Trust before contacting Patient Transfers to re-arrange any travel arrangements.

• If you are a patient who is due to fly back to the Isle of Man on Friday 24 January and your flight is cancelled, please contact Loganair who will arrange new flights and accommodation.

• If you are a patient who is due to travel back via to the Isle of Man via Steam Packet and need assistance, please contact Patient Transfers directly (01624 642666)

The health body is urging people to please consider whether attending Manx Care facilities for emergency treatment is absolutely necessary, or whether waiting until conditions are safer to get the support you need is feasible.

However, anyone who requires urgent or emergency treatment will continue to receive it, and you should continue to seek treatment there as required.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact MCALS on 01624 642642 or email mcals@gov.im, who will be in situ until 18:00 today.

POST OFFICE

Outbound Mail
•    Mail collected and processed today will be dispatched on the next available sailing due to cancelled sailings on Friday (24.01.25).
•    Special Delivery Next Day is scheduled to depart on time today, but onward delivery may face local delays.
•    No collections tomorrow, including business, post office, post box, and Online Postage collections.
Inbound & Local Mail 
•    No deliveries on Friday. Mail received today will be delivered on Saturday (parcels and priority items) or Monday (letter mail).
Customer Counters 
•    Customer counters at Postal Headquarters, Northern Delivery Office, and vehicle licensing will be closed tomorrow.
•    Check with sub post offices before visiting to confirm they are open.
Other 
•    Postage can still be purchased through Online Postage at www.iompost.com/OnlinePostage.
•    Customers can still contact the customer services team on customer.services@iompost.com or 664 664 as normal.
•    For up to date information about any disruption please visit www.iompost.com/Service-updates.

OTHER SERVICES

Other services confirmed as closed tomorrow include:

• ALL FOUR amenity sites across the Isle of Man
• The public counters at Ramsey Town Hall and library 
• Braddan Commissioners have confirmed The Roundhouse will not open. 
• EVF retailers will be closed. However, some, where safe to do so, will be in operation
• Manx Telecom headquarters as well as its store in Strand Street will not open. All staff have been told to work from home. 
• Southern Swimming Pool will remain closed until it deems it fit for staff and customers to travel to the facility.
• Refuse Collection Services have been confirmed as cancelled so far in Ramsey and Castletown and Garff
• Isle of Man Bank branches in Regent Street, Athol Street, Ramsey and Port Erin will be closed
• Lloyds Bank has confirmed its branches will be closed