Storm Bram: Council service advisory

Derry City and Strabane District Council has issued the following service advisory on Storm Bram.

Following Met Office advice ahead of Storm Bram of a yellow weather warning from 9.00am and 22.00pm and an Amber warning from 14.00pm and 19.00pm on Tuesday, 09 December 2025, Council, is advising the public the weather conditions could have an impact on some of its services.

Council is also encouraging businesses and householders to take all the necessary precautions to keep them and their property safe and to check the weather updates before travelling.

Refuse Collections

While our refuse collection services will be operating as normal, please expect some delays and be advised that there are some parts, particularly in rural areas, that may be difficult to access due to poor weather conditions. In the meantime, householders are advised to leave out their bins out as normal making sure they are placed in a secure location, and our teams will endeavour to service them when it is safe to do so.

Cemeteries

As a precautionary measure all Council owned Cemeteries will remain closed to the public today, Tuesday, 09 December 2025, except for funerals.  Cemeteries will be assessed and reopened when it is safe to do so.

Recycling Centres       

While all our recycling centres will be open to the public, users are advised to use the facilities with caution and to cooperate fully with staff.

Grass & 3G pitches and outdoor sports facilities

In the interests of health and safety all Council grass pitches and 3G pitches are closed due to the poor weather conditions. In terms of our outdoor sports facilities and courts these will also be closed and subject to inspections before reopening. User groups of these facilities will be contacted directly.

Parks, play parks and greenways

All Council parks, greenways and play areas are closed to the public today. The Council is also urging the public to avoid using open spaces and areas where there are trees. Inspections will be carried out before they are deemed safe to open, so please expect delays to reopening tomorrow.

 Leisure Centres

Brooke Park Leisure Centre will be closed today with its users advised to use facilities at Templemore Sports Complex. Foyle Arena and Riversdale Leisure Centre are both closed today for planned staff training but all other leisure facilities remain open as normal.

 Council facilities

The Guildhall and the Tower Museum are open and operating as normal.

Community facilities

It’s Council’s understanding that most community facilities will remain open with some closing at an earlier time however, users are urged to check with them directly.

City of Derry Airport

Those using the City of Derry Airport are advised to allow extra time for their journey to and from the airport and to check online in terms of flight arrival and departure times via the live website link at - https://www.cityofderryairport.com/flight-information/live-flight-information/

Inspections before reopening

The Council has advised that routine inspections will be carried out on all Council facilities first thing tomorrow morning prior to them reopening. The public are asked to be patient as it may take time for them to open, and they will only be opened when deemed safe to do so.

Further updates on all Council services will be provided on our social media channels.

 Met Office advice  

What to expect

• Power cuts could occur and affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
• Damage to buildings and homes is possible, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
• Roads, bridges and railway lines may close, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights
• Flying debris could result in a danger to life
• Winds are expected to increase further through the afternoon and early evening as Storm Bram tracks to the north of Northern Ireland.
• Southerly winds, becoming southwesterly during this period, within the amber warning area may increase to gust 60-70 mph with a chance of 80 mph or more around coasts and over hills for 2-3 hours, before dropping again. However, winds will continue to be very strong for some time after the amber warning expires, with the yellow warning continuing until 2200.

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What Should I Do?

• Prepare to protect your property and people from injury. Check for loose items outside your home and plan how you could secure them. Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds, and fences.
• Windy weather can cause delays and make travel conditions dangerous. Follow these few simple steps to prepare before journeys. Check bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. If driving, check road conditions and ensure you have essentials in your car (warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, an in-car phone charger).
• People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
• If you are on the coast, stay safe during stormy weather by being aware of large waves, even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea. Take care if walking near cliffs; know your route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
• Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area

Emergency Contact numbers:

• Emergency services 999 or 112
• Flooding Incident Line  - 0300 2000 100
• NI Electricity Networks – 03457 643 643
• NI Gas Emergency Service – 0800 002 001
• NI Water – 03457 440 088
• Housing Executive – 03448 920 901
• Report a blocked road – 0300 200 7891

For further advice:

• Severe weather, storms, flooding and drought | nidirect
• Register on the Met Office website or download the Met Office app to receive weather warnings;  http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/services/mobile-digital-services/weather-app