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Weather affecting roads across NI Wind brings down NI power lines
(40 minutes later)
The Roads Service in the north west of Northern Ireland is preparing for potential blizzard conditions later on Tuesday. About 15,000 homes in Northern Ireland are without power due to the weather.
Northern Ireland Electricity said gales, snow and heavy rain have caused widespread damage to the network.
Winds have brought down lines and poles and caused 250 individual faults. Omagh, Enniskillen and Dungannon are experiencing the most damage.
The Roads Service in the north west is preparing for potential blizzard conditions. The Glenshane Pass has been closed for snow ploughing.
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 rain is likely to become less, but only to be replaced by the heavy snow," the Roads Service's Keith Cradden said."The rain is likely to become less, but only to be replaced by the heavy snow," the Roads Service's Keith Cradden said.
The Glenshane Pass is said to be "particularly difficult" with traffic moving very slowly. 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".
"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."
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 weather has also hit football fixtures with the Irish Cup replay between Newry City and Loughgall off along with the Coleraine v Portadown and Distillery v Ballymena league matches.The weather has also hit football fixtures with the Irish Cup replay between Newry City and Loughgall off along with the Coleraine v Portadown and Distillery v Ballymena league matches.
Conditions 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.
Looking ahead, Mr Cradden said: "We will obviously have our gritting lorries and they they will be equipped if necessary with snow ploughs.
The Roads Service is working to keep roads open
"We've also been in touch with rural contractors who we ask to keep the rural roads clear - the non-gritted network clear."
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.
The company has said it is unlikely there will be any sailings on Tuesday and there is a strong possibility Wednesday's sailings will also be affected.