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Bad weather causing NI disruption | Bad weather causing NI disruption |
(about 6 hours 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, near Londonderry, causing problems for many motorists. | |
The road was closed on Tuesday evening and the Roads Service said their work had been hampered by snow, lying up to 50cms in some areas. | |
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 Police Service of Northern Ireland said about 150 people had been rescued from vehicles after becoming stuck in snow on the Glenshane Pass. | |
Police, mountain rescue and coastguard workers were involved in the operation. | |
Motorists were taken to a leisure centre in the city, only for a power failure to strike, forcing them to relocate to nearby Limavady. | |
On Tuesday, winds brought down electricity lines and poles and caused 250 individual faults. | |
An Northern Ireland Electricity 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. |
"At present, around 30,000 customers are without electricity," an NIE spokesperson said. | "At present, around 30,000 customers are without electricity," an NIE spokesperson said. |
"This number is constantly changing - as faults are repaired in one area, customers are losing power in another. | "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. | "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." | "Customers should be aware that if they are still off supply at midnight, their power will be off overnight." |
Weather warning | Weather warning |
A number of flights from Belfast International Airport on Tuesday evening were cancelled and further disruption is expected on Wednesday. | 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 open | The Roads Service is working to keep roads open |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |