A deluge of rain and strong winds has led to travel chaos and event closures as Storm Darragh hits Northern Ireland.
Power cuts, blocked roads, suspended trains and cancelled flights are some of the impacts currently being felt.
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Key updates
Motorway closed due to insecure roof
Roads blocked by fallen trees
All train services suspended until further notice
What weather warnings are in place on Saturday?
Flight cancellations
Another Premiership match off
Glenavon vs Crusaders has been postponed due to safety concerns, after Glentoran vs Ballymena United fell foul of a pitch inspection.
Loughgall vs Larne has passed an inspection and is set to go ahead.
Loughgall vs Larne has passed an inspection and is set to go ahead.
Road chaos in pictures
The Ballyclare Road in Templepatrick is now closed due to the big tree in picture two.
Traffic builds up on the Upper Malone Road where trees are blocking lanes.Press Eye
Anybody need a Christmas Tree? There’s one on the go on the Ballyclare Road in Templepatrick.Pacemaker
Workers were on the go early to clear trees blocking the Falls Road.Press Eye
Another big tree was uprooted at Ballyclare Cemetery. Fair play to the wall – it held up well!Press Eye
An extra 2k now without power
NIE have said the total number of their customers without power now stands at around 48k.
Some who were without power have now seen their electricity return, but NIE have warned that some may be without power into Sunday.
They said high wind speeds and access issues are also hampering restoration efforts as repair work can only proceed when it is safe for emergency crews to do so.
Some who were without power have now seen their electricity return, but NIE have warned that some may be without power into Sunday.
They said high wind speeds and access issues are also hampering restoration efforts as repair work can only proceed when it is safe for emergency crews to do so.
A spokesperson for NIE Networks added:
“Hundreds of extra staff have been brought in to help reinforce our normal capability. Our Incident Management Centre at Craigavon has been opened, as have our Local Incident Centres which are in locations across Northern Ireland and used by our teams to co-ordinate our localised response.
“We have mobilised additional call agents to deal with any queries customers may have regarding the repair process in their area.
“We would like to remind customers that if they should experience a power cut they can report the fault online at www.nienetworks.co.uk or call the NIE Networks Customer Helpline on 03457 643 643. Customers can also follow us on social media for regular updates.”
Translink update
All train services are still suspended while many bus services are also affected.
Glentoran match OFF with another Premiership inspection
Glentoran’s Premiership game at home to Ballymena United has been postponed following a pitch inspection.
Champions Larne’s trip to Loughgall is now also subject to a pitch inspection, set to take place at 10.45am.
Champions Larne’s trip to Loughgall is now also subject to a pitch inspection, set to take place at 10.45am.
Bus services suspended in Coleraine
That adds to suspended services in Magherafelt, Cookstown and Ballymena, where no busses are leaving Ballymena Depot.
Motorway closed due to insecure roof
The M1 has been closed eastbound between Saintfield and Blacks Road due to an insecure roof on a premises in the area. Motorists have been advised to avoid the area.
Elsewhere, the A2 is now closed between Kilkeel and Rostrevor due to a fallen tree.
Titanic Museum and Titanic Hotel access impacted
Belfast Harbour Police are providing traffic management at Queens Road. Alternative access to the Titanic Museum and Hotel has been set up.
Belfast International warns “delays to be expected”
Another local football match postponed
Knockbreda’s game against Lisburn Distillery is off following a pitch inspection. Queen’s University vs Banbridge Town was postponed yesterday.
A pitch inspection at the Oval ahead of Glentoran vs Ballymena United is coming up at 10.30am.
More bus services suspended
Adding to Ballymena, bus services in Magherafelt and Cookstown have now been postponed until further notice.
Good news – some power is coming back!
Some customers are reporting that power has returned after earlier outages.
NIE have warned that the process of restoring all impacted customers may last into Sunday – but it’s good news for some at least.
A2 reopened
The A2 has reopened at Cultra after being close Belfast-bound due to a fallen tree.
Roads blocked by fallen trees
The latest list of closed impacted includes the M1 motorway between Moira and Lurgan as well as the Upper Springfield and Falls Roads.
The police have urged the public to “consider essential travel only”.
The full list of blocked roads is:
Belfast
- M1 eastbound between Saintfield and Blacks Road
- Upper Springfield Road closed at Monagh Bypass – Fallen tree
- Falls Road closed at La Salle Drive in both directions – Fallen trees
- Malone Road near the House of Sport – Fallen trees
- Castle Street – Fallen cables
Co Down
- Dromore Road closed at Moira Road, Hillsborough – Fallen tree
- Ballygowan Road Comber closed – Fallen tree
- A2 between Kilkeel and Rostrevor – Fallen tree
Co Tyrone
- A505 Omagh – Cookstown Road has a high volume of fallen trees and is closed to traffic
- Tullycullion Rd1 Mullaghmore Rd – fallen tree
- Castlecaulfield Rd1 Foygh Rd – fallen tree
- Drumreany Rd2 Killyharry Rd -fallen tree
- Old Ballygawley Rd2 Ballygawley Rd – fallen tree
Co Antrim
- Police reporting multiple trees on the Ballyclare Road area of Templepatrick heading towards the M2 Belfast bound. Please exercise caution.
- Cullybackey Road closed at Sand Road – Fallen tree
- A8(M) between Sandyknowes roundabout towards Corrs Corner closed – Fallen tree
- Wellington Avenue
- Browndod Road
- Lower Cairncastle Road
- Upper Cairncastle Road
- Shaneshill Road/Ballymena Road
- Straidkilly Road, Glenarm
- Molyneaux Avenue
- Ballystrudder Road
- Bay Park
- Main Road, Glynn
- Shore Road, Magheramorne
Co Fermanagh
- Pettigo Road, Kesh: Fallen electricity pole
Latest on sport disruption
There is a pitch inspection now scheduled ahead of Glentoran’s home game against Ballymena United
Busses suspended from Ballymena
No busses are leaving Ballymena Depot until further notice due to several fallen trees in the area.
PSNI at scene of serious crash
Now 46k without power
As expected, the number of customers without power has now risen. NIE has said it now stands at around 46k.
Some may remain without power until Sunday due to the volume of disruptions to the network.
NIE said: “Due to the number of faults we are currently experiencing on the network, we are unable to provide an estimated restoration time for your electricity supply at this time. We are working to restore supplies as quickly and safely as possible.”
A spokesperson added: “Hundreds of extra staff have been brought in to help reinforce our normal capability. Our Incident Management Centre at Craigavon has been opened, as have our Local Incident Centres which are in locations across Northern Ireland and used by our teams to co-ordinate our localised response.
“We have mobilised additional call agents to deal with any queries customers may have regarding the repair process in their area.
“We would like to remind customers that if they should experience a power cut they can report the fault online at www.nienetworks.co.uk or call the NIE Networks Customer Helpline on 03457 643 643. Customers can also follow us on social media for regular updates.”
A2 closed due to fallen tree
The A2 has been closed Belfast-bound at Cultra due to a fallen tree. Scroll down for a full list of impacted roads so far this morning.
Merseyside Derby postponed
Those of you stuck in the house hoping to watch Liverpool vs Everton at lunch-time will be disappointed and the game has now been postponed due to the storm.
In the NI Football League, there are pitch inspections later this morning ahead of:
- Dundela vs Institute
- Knockbreda vs Lisburn Distillery
- Tobermore United vs Oxford Sunnyside
Queen’s University vs Banbridge Town has already been postponed.
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