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Bad weather causing NI disruption Bad weather causing NI disruption
(30 minutes later)
About 30,000 homes in Northern Ireland are without power due to bad weather.About 30,000 homes in Northern Ireland are without power due to bad weather.
Northern Ireland Electricity said there was widespread damage, especially in Omagh, Enniskillen, Dungannon, Londonderry, Coleraine and Ballymena.Northern Ireland Electricity said there was widespread damage, especially in Omagh, Enniskillen, Dungannon, Londonderry, Coleraine and Ballymena.
Roads have also been affected, with the Glenshane Pass closed for snow ploughing.Roads have also been affected, with the Glenshane Pass closed for snow ploughing.
The road has been closed since the early evening and Roads Service said their work has been hampered by snow, lying up to 50cms in some areas.The road has been closed since the early evening and Roads Service said their work has been hampered by snow, lying up to 50cms in some areas.
A number of flights from Belfast International Airport on Tuesday evening were cancelled and further disruption is expected on Wednesday.
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.
'Treacherous conditions'
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. Winds have brought down electricity lines and poles and caused 250 individual faults.
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.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.
Contractors from the Irish Republic will be called in to help on Wednesday morning.Contractors from the Irish Republic will be called in to help on Wednesday morning.
"We have invested heavily in our service and our systems have been thoroughly tested," he continued. "At present, around 30,000 customers are without electricity," an NIE spokesperson said.
"However, a rural network, like Northern Ireland's is still vulnerable to severe weather like we are experiencing this evening." "This number is constantly changing - as faults are repaired in one area, customers are losing power in another.
"Poor visibility, high winds and worsening weather have meant that crews will stand down from midnight.
"Customers should be aware that if they are still off supply at midnight, their power will be off overnight."
Weather warningWeather warning
Meanwhile, a tree has fallen on the Belfast to Bangor train line, close to Marino station. Passengers are being transported by bus. A number of flights from Belfast International Airport on Tuesday evening were cancelled and further disruption is expected on Wednesday.
The Roads Service is working to keep roads openThe Roads Service is working to keep roads open
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.
Meanwhile, a tree has fallen on the Belfast to Bangor train line, close to Marino station. Passengers are being transported by bus.
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.
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.