Felled trees, road closures and power cuts as Storm Eleanor rips into Northern Ireland
MORE than 20,000 homes were left without electricity at the peak of a power cut last night as 90mph gusts battered Northern Ireland.
The Met Office issued an amber warning as Storm Eleanor lashed the province with strong winds.
Scores of trees fell blocking many roads, prompting police to issue a warning not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
Gusts of up to 90mph were recorded at Orlock Head in Co Down.
Around 12,000 homes were still without electricity due to damage caused by Storm Eleanor as the Belfast Telegraph went to press. Earlier, 21,000 homes had no power.
Severe winds caused major damage to the electricity network with trees, branches and other flying debris bringing down power lines and poles.
A spokesman for NIE said they expected the number of customers affected by power cuts to rise last night as high wind speeds were expected to continue, especially in Co Down.
Ulster Unionist MLA John Stewart was caught up in the storm and tweeted a picture after the rear window of his car was smashed due to flying roof tiles.
Mr Stewart, who lives in Carrickfergus, said: “Tiles came off the roof and landed straight on top of my windshield and did some serious damage to the body work and the window.
“Had it hit someone there is no doubt it would have killed them.
“It was three big massive blocks, so thankfully it was just the window and we can worry about that in the morning — if it had’ve been myself, one of my kids or a neighbour in the line of fire, you can see what it would have done to somebody’s head.”
Meanwhile, all three of last night’s Danske Bank Premiership fixtures were abandoned due to the weather.
Parts of the stand at Bangor Fuels Arena was evacuated following reports of damage.
Co Fermanagh was reportedly the worst affected area with scores of fallen trees blocking roads.
There were more than 20 trees on the Ballyconnell Road near Derrylin.
It is expected that Eleanor will bring more strong to gale force westerly winds and showers to Northern Ireland today with a yellow weather warning in place until teatime.
The temperature will be a maximum of 8C.
A yellow weather warning is also in force for the north east and west England and parts of Scotland with exposed areas set to suffer the worst conditions.
The Met Office issued several national severe weather warnings due to the potential for travel disruption.
Passengers are advised to check with transport providers ahead of their journey.
Met Office forecaster John Wylie said: “The worst of the rain should have cleared by midnight but there will be squally showers thereafter blowing through on strong wind all the way through today.
“There will be no sign of anything settling before Friday.”
Earlier yesterday evening, winds reached speeds of up to 70mph, with counties Armagh and Down and the Belfast area the worst affected.
Stormy conditions are expected to rage until the weekend starts.
“By Saturday and Sunday, it will be calmer but colder,” Mr Wylie added.
Although sunshine has been forecast for the weekend, temlying peratures will drop to 5C dipping to freezing point tonight.
Mr Wylie said early morning commuters could be faced with debris and surface water on the province’s roads and possibly some disruption to transport.
High waves can be expected along the north Antrim coast today.
Pedestrians are urged to take extreme care on coastal paths and promenades and not to put themselves in unnecessary danger trying to take ‘storm selfies’.
Trafficwatch NI has advised of heavy rain across the north and west causing “some mostly localised road flooding with run-off from now saturated ground”.
The Department of Infrastructure is reminding motorists to take extra care if severe gales continue, to slow down and keep well back from the vehicle in front.
Motorists must also be prepared for debris and obstructions in the road and are reminded that strong wind can blow vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians off course.
Flooding hit Galway city, Salthill, Oranmore and Clarinbridge as high tides combined with gales during rush hour.
In Galway, streets around the docks were flooded after high tides breached defences and inundated streets.
Water was more than one foot deep in places.