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Strong winds leave 6,500 customers without power says NIE Winds leave 3,700 Northern Ireland customers without power
(about 1 hour later)
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has said 6,500 customers are without power after strong winds caused disruption to power supplies. Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has said 3,700 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. Overall close to 30,000 customers have been affected at some point, with the highest number off power at any one time about 7,000.
Police said several roads have been closed due to fallen trees. Some ferry services have also been cancelled. The Christmas market in Belfast has been closed as a safety precaution. It is hoped it will reopen at 14:00 GMT.
NIE said it had opened local incident centres across Northern Ireland. Power has been retored to 20,000 customers. 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.
"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."
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.
Strong winds at Belfast City Airport have meant a number of flights have been diverted to the International Airport: Birmingham BE402 09:45; Southampton BE986 10:10; London Gatwick EI021 10:15. Cardiff BE282 13:15 is estimated to arrive at 14:00 GMT.Strong winds at Belfast City Airport have meant a number of flights have been diverted to the International Airport: Birmingham BE402 09:45; Southampton BE986 10:10; London Gatwick EI021 10:15. Cardiff BE282 13:15 is estimated to arrive at 14:00 GMT.
DisruptionDisruption
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."