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20,000 homes without electricity | 20,000 homes without electricity |
(10 minutes later) | |
About 20,000 homes in Northern Ireland are without power due to the weather. | About 20,000 homes in Northern Ireland are without power due to the weather. |
Northern Ireland Electricity said gales, snow and rain have caused widespread damage, especially in Omagh, Enniskillen and Dungannon. | Northern Ireland Electricity said gales, snow and rain have caused widespread damage, especially in Omagh, Enniskillen and Dungannon. |
The Roads Service in the north west is preparing for potential blizzard conditions. The Glenshane Pass has been closed for snow ploughing. | The Roads Service in the north west is preparing for potential blizzard conditions. The Glenshane Pass has been closed for snow ploughing. |
Five flights due to depart from Belfast International Airport on Tuesday evening have been cancelled. | Five flights due to depart from Belfast International Airport on Tuesday evening have been cancelled. |
The flights affected were Easyjet departures to London Stansted, Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle and Glasgow. | The flights affected were Easyjet departures to London Stansted, Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle and Glasgow. |
The 2210 BST Easyjet plane from London Stansted has also been cancelled, with a number of other planes diverted to other airports. | The 2210 BST Easyjet plane from London Stansted has also been cancelled, with a number of other planes diverted to other airports. |
'Treacherous conditions' | 'Treacherous conditions' |
Winds have brought down electricity lines and poles and caused 250 individual faults. | Winds have brought down electricity lines and poles and caused 250 individual faults. |
The Met office is predicting heavy rain and snow with biting gales. | The Met office is predicting heavy rain and snow with biting gales. |
The police have said driving conditions across Northern Ireland are "treacherous" and have advised motorists to slow down. | The police have said driving conditions across Northern Ireland are "treacherous" and have advised motorists to slow down. |
The Glenshane Pass is said to be "particularly difficult". Snow ploughs and gritters are working to clear the road. | The Glenshane Pass is said to be "particularly difficult". Snow ploughs and gritters are working to clear the road. |
Ulsterbus have said services from Londonderry bound for Belfast will only travel as far as Dungiven. | Ulsterbus have said services from Londonderry bound for Belfast will only travel as far as Dungiven. |
An NIE spokesperson said its engineers were working on faults as quickly as it was "safe to do so" and that an additional 250 staff have been called in. | |
"We have invested heavily in our service and our systems have been thoroughly tested," he continued. | "We have invested heavily in our service and our systems have been thoroughly tested," he continued. |
"However, a rural network, like Northern Ireland's is still vulnerable to severe weather like we are experiencing this evening." | "However, a rural network, like Northern Ireland's is still vulnerable to severe weather like we are experiencing this evening." |
Weather warning | Weather warning |
Meanwhile, a tree has fallen on the Belfast to Bangor train line, close to Marino station. Passengers are being transported by bus. | Meanwhile, a tree has fallen on the Belfast to Bangor train line, close to Marino station. Passengers are being transported by bus. |
The Roads Service is working to keep roads open | The Roads Service is working to keep roads open |
Earlier, conditions were said to be particularly bad between Coleraine and Maghera. | Earlier, conditions were said to be particularly bad between Coleraine and Maghera. |
There were also reports of heavy snow between Omagh and Dromore. | There were also reports of heavy snow between Omagh and Dromore. |
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning and has said heavy rain could cause flooding in many areas. | The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning and has said heavy rain could cause flooding in many areas. |
The Strangford Road in Downpatrick has also been closed between Quoile Bridge and Saul Mills Road because of a land slide. | The Strangford Road in Downpatrick has also been closed between Quoile Bridge and Saul Mills Road because of a land slide. |
All P&O Express sailings between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled due to the weather, however, passengers will be transferred to conventional ferry sailings. | All P&O Express sailings between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled due to the weather, however, passengers will be transferred to conventional ferry sailings. |
Stena sailings between Belfast and Stranraer have also been cancelled. | Stena sailings between Belfast and Stranraer have also been cancelled. |