The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) reported a high number of 999 calls on 24 January 2025 as Storm Éowyn affected Scotland, and asked the public to dial 999 only where there is an immediate risk of harm1. In an update posted at 13.40 that day, the service also asked people to report fallen trees and obstacles that do not pose an immediate risk to the public or property to their local authority1.
The Met Office had issued a series of severe weather warnings across Scotland for Friday 24 January because of the storm1. According to the service, a red warning for wind covered the Central Belt of Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway and some of the Western Isles, an amber warning for wind was in place for the rest of the country, and yellow warnings for wind and snow remained in place nationally1. The service said this meant travel conditions were likely to be extremely dangerous across parts of Scotland and that travel was not advised unless absolutely essential1.
"We are experiencing a high number of 999 calls at the moment."
In an earlier update at 10.49, the service said it was aware that some people may be experiencing power cuts during the storm, and asked that people take care during a power cut and use safe ways to heat and light their homes as well as cook1. The service pointed readers to its safety information on what to do in a power cut, and said regular updates on Storm Éowyn were available from the Met Office and Police Scotland1.
| Warning | Areas named by the SFRS |
|---|---|
| Red, wind | Central Belt of Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway, some of the Western Isles |
| Amber, wind | Rest of the country |
| Yellow, wind and snow | Nationally |
Why it matters for households
The warnings applied across Scotland for Friday 24 January, with the red wind warning covering the Central Belt, Dumfries and Galloway and some of the Western Isles1. The service's message on emergency calls affects anyone in Scotland who finds damage or disruption near their home: where there is an immediate risk of harm, the advice is to dial 999 and ask for the fire service, and where a fallen tree or obstacle does not pose an immediate risk to the public or property, the advice is to contact the local authority instead1. The service's guidance on when to call 999 sets out the distinction in general terms, and the site's guides explain who is responsible for a dangerous tree and how to report a fallen tree blocking a road.
For households affected by power cuts, the service asked people to take care and to use safe ways to heat and light their homes and to cook1. The service said travel conditions were likely to be extremely dangerous across parts of Scotland and that travel was not advised unless absolutely essential1. Further background on storms and snow is in the storms and snow hub, and on official warnings and updates in the staying-informed hub.
What happens next
The SFRS said regular updates on Storm Éowyn were available from the Met Office and Police Scotland1. No further timetable for the warnings, or for the return of power to affected areas, has been reported in the service's updates.
Sources (1)
- Storm Éowyn - updates | Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, firescotland.gov.uk
When to Call 999
