MILLIONS of Scots will see their mobile phones sound a loud siren alarm on Thursday evening to warn of imminent danger from Storm Eowyn, the UK Government has announced.
The Cabinet Office said that the emergency alert system would send a message to areas which are likely to see a serious danger to life after the Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for Friday, January 24.
The danger to life alert has prompted the UK Government to send an emergency siren through some 4.5 million people’s mobile phones. It is expected to sound at around 6pm on Thursday, January 23.
The Government said that people living in the following 22 Scottish council areas would see their phones vibrate and make “a loud siren-like sound”, even if they are set on silent:
- Argyll and Bute
- Clackmannanshire
- Dumfries and Galloway
- East Ayrshire
- East Dunbartonshire
- East Lothian
- East Renfrewshire
- Edinburgh
- Falkirk
- Fife
- Glasgow
- Inverclyde
- Midlothian Council
- North Ayrshire
- North Lanarkshire
- Renfrewshire
- Scottish Borders
- South Ayrshire
- South Lanarkshire
- Stirling
- West Dunbartonshire
- West Lothian
The UK Government said it would be the “largest real life use” of the emergency alert system to date.
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.
"Mobile phones will make a loud siren-like sound even if they are set on silent. The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds.
"Approximately 4.5 million people will receive the Emergency Alert in the largest real life use of the tool to date.
"The UK Government has well rehearsed plans in place for severe winter weather and is working with teams from devolved governments, local authorities, the emergency services and other public bodies to coordinate the response to any disruption."
The red warning has sparked widespread disruption, with train, ferry, and bus services cancelled across the central belt.
Schools have also been closed as people have been warned not to travel.
