**Storm Amy Forces UK Residents to Shelter in Place**

Residents in parts of the UK are being urged to "shelter in place" this afternoon as Storm Amy approaches. The warning, issued by Keith Leonard, the national director of Ireland's emergency management unit, is particularly aimed at those in Donegal. Leonard stated that a red level weather warning is anticipated from Met Eireann for the period between 4pm and 6pm today.

Speaking on RTE's News at One, Leonard emphasised the importance of safety during this time. He said, "If I had one key message, it would be for that period from 4pm to 6pm in Donegal this afternoon, to ask people to shelter in place for that amount of time and to be very careful on the roads before that warning comes into place and after it's gone through."

Storm Amy is expected to bring significant rainfall and high winds, with gusts reaching up to 100mph in exposed coastal areas. Leonard warned that fallen trees could pose additional hazards.

In response to the storm, yellow weather warnings have been issued for much of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Schools in Northern Ireland have closed early, and ferry services from the west of Scotland have been cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions.

The storm is the first named storm of the season and is set to impact the UK throughout the weekend. Heavy rain and strong winds are expected to spread southward later today, with yellow warnings covering all of the UK, including southern England, for Saturday. Residents are advised to stay informed and take precautions as the storm progresses.