Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SNOW GO AREA
Ulster crippled by the Beast and Storm Emma Chaos as flights are grounded & roads closed Public urged to stay indoors as schools shut
THE weather misery is set to continue today as Storm Emma and the Beast from the East grip the country.
The Met Office’s Amber warning has been extended into Friday with hundreds of schools across Northern Ireland remaining closed.
Power interruptions are to be expected while the PSNI has advised against unnecessary journeys in the “treacherous conditions”.
NORTHERN Ireland is to endure more transport chaos and school closures today as the big freeze tightens its grip.
The Met Office issued an Amber warning for snow and predicted overnight wintry showers could cut off rural communities.
Experts warned some roads could be blocked by deep drifts, while power, telephone and mobile interruptions should be expected.
The PSNI advised people not to make unnecessary journeys and warned of “treacherous conditions”.
A spokesman said: “Slow down, use adequate lights, keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front and be as careful as possible.”
Police also urged the public to check on neighbours during the freezing conditions.
A number of schools and colleges closed yesterday with South Down hardest hit.
Parents are being urged to regularly log on to www. education-ni.gov.uk/news/ school-closures to see if classes have been axed.
Buses were cancelled in the worst affected areas, with some reductions to Metro and Translink services. A number of flights were also grounded.
The Met Office upgraded its snow alert from Yellow to Amber yesterday afternoon before extending it today.
The Department for Infrastructure advised road conditions in the south-east were extremely difficult and unlikely to change significantly in the next 24 hours.
A spokesman said: “While efforts continue to clear snow from the main roads and snow ploughing is ongoing, local people should only travel if necessary. “Salting on the scheduled road network across the rest of Northern Ireland will continue and road users should continue to take extra care if travelling.” Meanwhile, the Beast from the East and Storm Emma have left Britain worryingly short of gas – but the Government urged people not to panic. The National Grid issued its first “gas deficit warning” in eight years after admitting there was not enough to meet a surge in demand.
Energy Minister Claire Perry said the situation is being closely monitored, adding: “So do carry on using your gas heating and cooking meals as normal.”
The storms have now left 10 people dead. A seven-yearold girl, believed to be a pedestrian, was the latest victim. She died yesterday afternoon in Looe, Cornwall, when a car lost control, left the road and hit a house.
A 46-year-old man, from Southampton, died in a collision on the nearby A34 yesterday morning. A woman of 75 was found dead near her West Yorkshire home during a blizzard.
In Nottinghamshire a homeless man was found dead in his tent in the snow.
There was up to 2ft of snow and 60mph gusts of wind as Storm Emma collided with the Beast from the East.
Conditions are likely to worsen due to more snow today and icy rain that is forecast over the weekend.
The most severe weather warnings have been issued. An unprecedented Red Alert for snow was issued in the south-west – the first ever for England – and Wales.
Yesterday’s gas shortfall came as temperatures plunged. The energy situation has been made worse by what critics say is a chronic lack of facilities to store gas in the UK.
It is hoped enough can be imported through deep sea pipes.
Up to 20in was expected to fall overnight in parts of Britain. Storm Emma is set to move north today, bringing more misery and chaos
and lows of -10C are expected.
Slow down and keep a safe space between the vehicle in front PSNI SPOKESMAN YESTERDAY