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Strong winds leave 7,000 customers without power says NIE | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has said 7,000 customers are without power after strong winds caused disruption to power supplies. | |
The Christmas market at Belfast City Hall has been closed as a safety precaution. | |
Police said several roads have been closed due to fallen trees. Some ferry services have also been cancelled. | |
NIE said it had opened local incident centres across Northern Ireland and has mobilised additional emergency crews. | NIE said it had opened local incident centres across Northern Ireland and has mobilised additional emergency crews. |
"We've been liaising with the Met Office for the past couple of days," said Northern Ireland Electricity's (NIE) Julia Carson. | "We've been liaising with the Met Office for the past couple of days," said Northern Ireland Electricity's (NIE) Julia Carson. |
"We knew this was coming and we have additional engineers, emergency crews and call handlers on standby." | "We knew this was coming and we have additional engineers, emergency crews and call handlers on standby." |
A number of roads have been closed including Crawfordsburn Road and Rathgael Road in Bangor, Spa Road, Ballynahinch, Mearne Road and Castleward Road in Downpatrick. | A number of roads have been closed including Crawfordsburn Road and Rathgael Road in Bangor, Spa Road, Ballynahinch, Mearne Road and Castleward Road in Downpatrick. |
The Antrim Road in north Belfast is blocked by a fallen tree at Kincraig Park. | The Antrim Road in north Belfast is blocked by a fallen tree at Kincraig Park. |
A tree has blocked part of the Ormeau Embankment in Belfast. The road is said to be passable with care. | A tree has blocked part of the Ormeau Embankment in Belfast. The road is said to be passable with care. |
The Tannaghmore Road, Randalstown, has been closed at the junction with Craigmore Road due to the roof of a shed blowing off in the area. | The Tannaghmore Road, Randalstown, has been closed at the junction with Craigmore Road due to the roof of a shed blowing off in the area. |
Killard House School in Donaghadee has been closed due to a power cut. | |
Strong winds led to the Foyle Bridge being closed to high-sided vehicles earlier on Thursday, but it has now re-opened. | Strong winds led to the Foyle Bridge being closed to high-sided vehicles earlier on Thursday, but it has now re-opened. |
The winds are also expected to generate big waves off the north coast of Northern Ireland. | The winds are also expected to generate big waves off the north coast of Northern Ireland. |
Disruption | Disruption |
All ferry sailings between Rathlin and Ballycastle have been cancelled because of the weather conditions. | All ferry sailings between Rathlin and Ballycastle have been cancelled because of the weather conditions. |
P&O Ferries said it anticipated disruptions on its services from Larne and Cairnryan. | P&O Ferries said it anticipated disruptions on its services from Larne and Cairnryan. |
It said anyone travelling on Thursday should check in as normal but expect delays. | It said anyone travelling on Thursday should check in as normal but expect delays. |
The company said its latest sailing information would be updated on its travel information and weatherline on 0845 832 8888. | The company said its latest sailing information would be updated on its travel information and weatherline on 0845 832 8888. |
Northern Ireland Railways (Translink) said debris on the line had led to delays and cancellations on its Londonderry and Larne services. | Northern Ireland Railways (Translink) said debris on the line had led to delays and cancellations on its Londonderry and Larne services. |
John Wylie from the Met Office said: "It's completely normal for the time of year. We've got to expect a few stormy periods every winter. | John Wylie from the Met Office said: "It's completely normal for the time of year. We've got to expect a few stormy periods every winter. |
"We should expect winds that are capable of causing disruption, especially across the north." | "We should expect winds that are capable of causing disruption, especially across the north." |
Travel disruption | Travel disruption |
The Met Office has a yellow warning in place - which means to be aware of potential disruption. | The Met Office has a yellow warning in place - which means to be aware of potential disruption. |
It predicts that gusts could reach speeds of 70 mph (115 kph) as a storm moves in from the Atlantic. | It predicts that gusts could reach speeds of 70 mph (115 kph) as a storm moves in from the Atlantic. |
The strongest winds are expected along the north coast and the Antrim coast. | The strongest winds are expected along the north coast and the Antrim coast. |
The storm has led to warnings for strong winds across Britain and Ireland | The storm has led to warnings for strong winds across Britain and Ireland |
In parts of Scotland and England an orange warning - meaning to be prepared for disruption - has been issued for gusts of 80 mph (130 kph) and perhaps as high as 90 mph (145 kph) in exposed parts of the north and west of Scotland. | In parts of Scotland and England an orange warning - meaning to be prepared for disruption - has been issued for gusts of 80 mph (130 kph) and perhaps as high as 90 mph (145 kph) in exposed parts of the north and west of Scotland. |
In the Republic of Ireland, Met Éireann has also issued an orange warning for Connacht, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal, where gusts of 75 mph (120 kph) are expected. | In the Republic of Ireland, Met Éireann has also issued an orange warning for Connacht, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal, where gusts of 75 mph (120 kph) are expected. |
NIE has said that if customers lose power supplies that they can contact their helpline on 08457 643 643 or report the fault at Northern Ireland Electricity. | NIE has said that if customers lose power supplies that they can contact their helpline on 08457 643 643 or report the fault at Northern Ireland Electricity. |