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Weather: High winds alert as storm hits Northern Ireland | Weather: High winds alert as storm hits Northern Ireland |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Northern Ireland's north coast has been battered by severe gales and large waves and the public has been warned to stay away from beaches in the area. | |
The Met Office issued an amber weather warning, particularly for counties Antrim and Londonderry, and advised of the prospect of "dangerous conditions". | |
So far, the highest wind speed of 64mph has been recorded at Magilligan Point. | |
Police said Benone beach, Magilligan, has been closed as it is "dangerous to the public" due to the adverse weather. | |
Officers warned of "high winds, water surges and debris" in the area and said motorists "should heed the closed signs and not venture onto the beach as it is unsafe". | |
The National Trust, which runs the nearby beach at Portstewart, warned members of the public they were risking their lives by going into the sea in a storm. | |
On its Portstewart Strand Twitter account, the trust said: "We can not stress this enough. Please stay away from the beach. Just witnessed a second person get washed away and only just escape to safety." | |
The coastguard said they had a report of a man going into the water at Portstewart fully clothed and wearing a rucksack. | |
However, he came out of the water uninjured. | |
In the Republic of Ireland, wind speeds of 76 mph have been recorded at Malin Head. | |
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has warned of possible damage to the electricity network and its emergency repair crews have been on standby. | |
Travel is also being affected with a number of sailings delayed or cancelled. | Travel is also being affected with a number of sailings delayed or cancelled. |
The Met Office said: "Westerly winds will gust 70 to 80 mph at times and will be combined with exceptionally high waves. | |
"The public should be prepared for dangerous conditions, especially along causeways and coastal roads exposed to the west." | "The public should be prepared for dangerous conditions, especially along causeways and coastal roads exposed to the west." |
A yellow weather warning is in place for the rest of Northern Ireland. | |
Meanwhile, Met Éireann has issued a status orange wind warning - its second highest category of alert - for all coastal counties including and between Donegal and Clare. | Meanwhile, Met Éireann has issued a status orange wind warning - its second highest category of alert - for all coastal counties including and between Donegal and Clare. |
On Tuesday, NIE initiated an escalation plan with emergency crews, engineers and call handlers on standby. | On Tuesday, NIE initiated an escalation plan with emergency crews, engineers and call handlers on standby. |
The electricity service said exposed northern locations were especially vulnerable. | The electricity service said exposed northern locations were especially vulnerable. |
In Northern Ireland, NIE customers are advised if they do lose electricity supplies they should contact the NIE customer helpline on 03457 643 643 or report the fault online at nie.co.uk. | In Northern Ireland, NIE customers are advised if they do lose electricity supplies they should contact the NIE customer helpline on 03457 643 643 or report the fault online at nie.co.uk. |
Customers can also follow NIE on Twitter @NIElectricity for regular updates. | Customers can also follow NIE on Twitter @NIElectricity for regular updates. |