The Met Office has issued a “yellow” alert for Northern Ireland ahead bad weather and the risk of high winds over the next 24 hours.
Westerly gales are expected to spread southwards across northern and some central areas of the UK tomorrow, with gusts of 60 to 70 mph likely across parts of Northern Ireland.
Explaining a “Yellow: Be Aware” alert, a Met Office spokesperson said: “Severe weather is possible over the next few days and could affect you. Yellow means that you should plan ahead thinking about possible travel delays, or the disruption of your day to day activities. The Met Office is monitoring the developing weather situation and Yellow means keep an eye on the latest forecast and be aware that the weather may change or worsen, leading to disruption of your plans in the next few days.”
Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has issued an emergency phone number for tenants whose homes may be affected by the weather.
The number is 03448 920 901. Tenants can also report problems online.
Other useful numbers are – Floodline:0300 2000 100; Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service: 028 9266 4221.
The Housing Executive has issued the following advice to tenants whose homes may suffer storm damage:
:: If tiles are blown off your roof but there’s no water penetration:
• Working on roofs in stormy weather is dangerous and it may be 24hrs or more before a roofer can get up onto the roof.
• There should be roofing felt under the tiles and this should prevent water coming into the house.
• If water starts to penetrate through the roof, use a bucket or container to catch any water coming into rooms and lay a plastic sheet over any possessions that are close to the leak. Call the HE 03448 920 901 to update the information.
• Is there any immediate danger to life/property from loose slates hanging off roof? – if so let HE know immediately.
:: If tiles blown off your roof and water gets into the electrics:
• If there is any doubt about water in electrics, turn off your electricity at the meter box.
:: If a tree falls on to Housing Executive land or from our land onto private land but there are no health and safety issues or damage to property:
• HE will arrange for a grounds maintenance contractor to be out the next day/few days to address the problem.
:: If a tree falls on to our land or from our land onto private land and serious damage has been caused, or is likely:
• If damage has been caused to the property, HE will arrange for a contractor to carry out emergency repairs to make the property secure, wind and weather proof.
• If the property is not habitable HE will provide out-of-hours homeless advice telephone number or district office contact details.
• HE will arrange for a grounds maintenance contractor to attend urgently to take remedial action to remove tree/address the problem.
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