
RNLI urges public to stay safe as Storm Éowyn hits the North West and Wales
Storm Éowyn is set to bring strong winds across the UK and Isle of Man, with a red weather warning now in place for the Isle of Man and amber warning for parts of the North West and Wales on Friday.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is urging those near the coast to be aware of the dangers the stormy weather could bring.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind from today (23 January), covering much of the UK with gusts of 50 to 60mph expected across part of Wales. Storm Éowyn is expected to bring very strong winds and widespread disruption on Friday when the amber warning is in place for north Wales, and in the north west of England - Cumbria, Lancashire and Merseyside are all expected to be impacted.
On Friday there is a red weather warning in place for the peak of the storm hitting the Isle of Man, with gusts of up to 85mph expected to hit the island between 7am - 2pm. Amber and yellow warnings will remain in place following this period.
For those who plan to visit the coast this Friday and Saturday, the strong gusts pose a significant risk to safety and the lifesaving charity is urging the public to exercise extreme caution, particularly along exposed cliffs, seafronts and piers.
Chris Cousens, Regional Water Safety Lead for Wales says:
‘Storm Éowyn is set to bring potentially dangerous and uncertain conditions so we’re asking the public to stay vigilant.
‘If you plan to visit the coast, the RNLI advises that you stay a safe distance from the water as conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea. It is not worth risking your life.
'If you find yourself in trouble unexpectedly in the water, remember to Float to Live; lie back in the water, extend your arms and legs and try to relax as best as you can until you get control of your breathing.
‘If you see someone else in danger in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. If you have something that floats that they can hold on to, throw it to them. Don’t go in the water yourself – you could end up in difficulty too.’
The RNLI's safety advice is:
- Stay well back from stormy, wintery seas and cliff edges
- Check the weather forecast and tide times before you go
- Take a phone with you
- In an emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
RNLI Contact
For further details, please contact Danielle Rush on 07786 668829 or call the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected].Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.