The impact of Storm Darragh is still being felt as bad weather left a trail of chaos across Northern Ireland.
Power cuts, blocked roads, suspended trains and cancelled flights were some of the problems through the day.
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Key updates
NIE: Some customers face ‘a number of days’ without power
Power station damaged
North Belfast paramilitary mural blown down
What weather warnings are in place on Saturday?
Trees down in Down
Police say the Head Road, Annalong, Co Down, is closed between the Ballyveaghmore Road and the Oldtown Road this evening due to a number of trees down effecting overhead cables. Motorists should avoid the area and seek alternative routes.
NIE: Some customers face ‘a number of days’ without power
Edel Creery from NIE said “outages have continued to be reported throughout the day”.
“Due to the widespread damage we anticipate it could be a number of days before power is successfully restored to all customers impacted. We would ask customers to bear with us as our teams work to restore power.
“Due to the widespread damage we anticipate it could be a number of days before power is successfully restored to all customers impacted. We would ask customers to bear with us as our teams work to restore power.
“Additionally, we would ask members of the public to check in on relatives, friends and neighbours who may require further support and also ensure that their power cut has been reported.”
Community facilities to open on Sunday
NIE has also said it will open community assistance centres across Northern Ireland from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday for those still without power.
The centres are:
The centres are:
- South Lake Leisure Centre in Craigavon
- Lagan Valley Leisureplex in Lisburn
- Ards Blair Mayne in Newtownards
- Seven Towers in Ballymena
- Cookstown Leisure Centre
- Kilkeel Leisure Centre
- Fermanagh Lakeland Forum
Coleraine Leisure Centre will open from noon until 3pm on Sunday.
The centres will offer warm drinks, charging and changing facilities and NIE Networks staff will be on hand to answer any queries.
22,000 still without power
Efforts are continuing to restore power to thousands of homes across Northern Ireland, NIE said tonight.
Some 22,000 homes remain without power following the high gusts brought by Storm Darragh.
Sustained gusts between 60 and 70mph throughout Saturday caused “extensive damage to the electricity network”, NIE said, with 48,000 customers losing power at one stage.
As of 9pm, engineering teams have been able to restore power to over 25,000 customers and “a small number” should have power restored overnight.
“At this stage, NIE Networks estimate that it may be a number of days before they can reconnect all those customers impacted.”
Some 22,000 homes remain without power following the high gusts brought by Storm Darragh.
Sustained gusts between 60 and 70mph throughout Saturday caused “extensive damage to the electricity network”, NIE said, with 48,000 customers losing power at one stage.
As of 9pm, engineering teams have been able to restore power to over 25,000 customers and “a small number” should have power restored overnight.
“At this stage, NIE Networks estimate that it may be a number of days before they can reconnect all those customers impacted.”
Stormont ministers’ praise
Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly have thanked agencies who responded to Storm Darragh.
An Executive statement said: “Multi-agency staff have been working in very difficult conditions to deal with the impact of the storm and keep people safe. As it continues, the Ministers are encouraging everyone to take the necessary precautions to stay safe.”
An Executive statement said: “Multi-agency staff have been working in very difficult conditions to deal with the impact of the storm and keep people safe. As it continues, the Ministers are encouraging everyone to take the necessary precautions to stay safe.”
Football fiasco was ‘shameful’
Sunday Life football columnist Liam Beckett is also unhappy at today’s late match postponements, saying the late call-offs were “shameful”.
Yellow alert
A yellow alert for high winds remains in place across Northern Ireland until 6am on Sunday. The Met Office forecast for Sunday states: “Dry with bright or sunny spells. Strong winds in the morning easing down through the day.” The maximum temperature will be 8C.
Lyons: Football fixture chaos is ‘appalling’
Sports Minister Gordon Lyons has weighed in on the controversy surrounding late call-offs in the Sports Direct Premiership today.
Dungannon Swifts v Linfield and Coleraine v Portadown were both called off just 70 minutes before kick-off.
Mr Lyons said: “Football clubs, players and fans across Northern Ireland have been left in an appalling situation today after they were forced to travel during an amber weather warning only to have matches called off at the last minute.
“This is totally unacceptable and the authorities must ensure this doesn’t happen again.
“Clarity could and should have been provided earlier in order to keep people safe and save time and money for everyone involved.”
Dungannon Swifts v Linfield and Coleraine v Portadown were both called off just 70 minutes before kick-off.
Mr Lyons said: “Football clubs, players and fans across Northern Ireland have been left in an appalling situation today after they were forced to travel during an amber weather warning only to have matches called off at the last minute.
“This is totally unacceptable and the authorities must ensure this doesn’t happen again.
“Clarity could and should have been provided earlier in order to keep people safe and save time and money for everyone involved.”
Transport services on track
Translink expect their night Metro and bus services to run as normal, although rail services could be delayed.
Fans’ fury at call-off chaos
Linfield fans have been left frustrated after their game at Dungannon Swifts was called off just 70 minutes before kick-off.
Many were at Stangmore Park already and spoke to Adrian Rutherford here
Many were at Stangmore Park already and spoke to Adrian Rutherford here
Football chiefs defend call-off chaos
The Northern Ireland Football League has defended its decision not to call an early halt to all of Saturday’s league fixtures in the face of Storm Darragh.
Keith Bailie has the latest here
Keith Bailie has the latest here
Some customers face days without power – NIE
NIE has said the high winds brought by Storm Darragh have caused widespread damage to the electricity network, and some customers could be without power for “a number of days”.
“At present approximately 48,000 customers remain without power across Northern Ireland,” a spokesperson said.
“Our teams are working to assess the damage across the network however debris on roads is impacting our restoration efforts.
“From our experience of previous significant weather events, we anticipate complete restoration will take a number of days. We will aim to restore power to those customers affected as quickly as possible where is it safe to do so.”
“At present approximately 48,000 customers remain without power across Northern Ireland,” a spokesperson said.
“Our teams are working to assess the damage across the network however debris on roads is impacting our restoration efforts.
“From our experience of previous significant weather events, we anticipate complete restoration will take a number of days. We will aim to restore power to those customers affected as quickly as possible where is it safe to do so.”
They added: “Hundreds of extra staff have been brought in to help reinforce our normal capability. We have mobilised additional call agents to deal with any queries customers may have regarding the repair process in their area.”
Stena Line docks in Belfast
The Stena Line that departed Cairnryan before 1am last night has finally been able to berth in Belfast – much to relief of the passengers on board no doubt! It had been sheltering off the coast in Whitehead.
‘Amber’ warning downgraded
A Met Office ‘amber’ weather warning has been downgraded – earlier than expected. It had been expected to last until 9pm. A yellow warning for strong winds remains in place.
Another Translink update
Translink has just announced the line from Belfast to Londonderry is closed until further notice.
Services are operating between Coleraine and Portrush, with some disruption expected due to speed restrictions.
Services are operating between Coleraine and Portrush, with some disruption expected due to speed restrictions.
Trainline update
The Portadown, Larne and Bangor lines all reopened earlier. The line between Coleraine and Derry has now reopened, however the line between Coleraine and Belfast remains closed.
Final Premiership match called off
While the Linfield chairman fumed over a late call-off for his side’s game at Dungannon, Portadown might have similar complaints as their match in Coleraine has fallen foul of the weather – that decision also coming up over an hour ahead of kick-off.
Parade goes ahead
Despite disruption from Storm Darragh, the final parade of the year has taken place in Londonderry as Apprentice Boys took to the streets for the annual Shutting of the Gates ceremony.
More details here:
More details here:
Christmas Market back tomorrow!
The Christmas Market at City Hall will reopen on Sunday, Belfast City Council has said.
It has issued an update on facilities affected by Storm Darragh:
It has issued an update on facilities affected by Storm Darragh:
- Parks, pitches, open spaces, public toilets and playgrounds are closed and will remain closed on Sunday for essential maintenance following the storm.
- Cemeteries will remain closed on Sunday for essential maintenance.
- The Christmas Market at Belfast City Hall is closed today, but will reopen at 12 noon on Sunday.
- A decision will be made re: recycling centres at 12 noon on Sunday.
- Community and Leisure Centres remain open.
Rail services resume on Bangor line
The Portadown, Larne and Bangor lines have all now reopened following this morning’s suspension of services.
Watch: Bus collides with building and roads blocked as storm Darragh batters Northern Ireland