Storm Bram: Busy roads closed due to flooding as power outages take place in homes throughout Northern Ireland
There have been a number of power cuts in properties in the north Down area, according to a map from NIE.
The news comes after the PSNI revealed a number of roads have been closed due to flooding in the area, and further afield.
A busy Co Antrim road has been closed due to a collapsed wall.
It has emerged that the Belfast Road in Carrickfergus, from the Trooperslane Road up to the Sloefield Road, has been closed due to a collapsed wall.
Police said the Trooperslane Road is also closed.
Motorists are asked to seek an alternative route for your journey.
The news comes as two Co Down roads have been closed, according to the PSNI.
Road users are advised that the Shore Road in Rostrevor and the South Promenade in Newcastle are both currently impassable due to flooding.
In a statement the PSNI say: ‘Please avoid the area, exercise caution and seek alternative routes for your journeys’.
And road users are advised the Portaferry Road, Newtownards is currently impassable due to flooding.
Motorists are asked to seek an alternative route at this time for your journey.
And there is also disappointment for little ones hoping to see Santa Claus in Glenarm Castle tonight.
‘We have been closely monitoring tonight’s weather, and unfortunately, due to no improvement in the high winds forecast, we’ve had to make the difficult decision to cancel this evening’s event.
‘All ticketholders booked for tonight were emailed earlier this morning with options. Please refer to your email.
‘We are truly sorry for the disappointment, but the safety of our visitors and staff must always come first.
Thank you for your understanding.’
Meanwhile, earlier the Ulster University announced that ‘Due to Storm Bram, we will be closing our Coleraine and Derry~Londonderry campuses from 1pm today’.
In the same post on social media they add: ‘Our Belfast campus will remain open’ as they advise students to ‘stay updated on the latest developments on http://metoffice.gov.uk’
The news comes after the Education Authority issued a statement on pupil welfare after initially saying they are not planning to issue general school closure notices.
The statement says: ‘All schools are advised to keep pupils indoors throughout the day and, if practical, to cancel after school activities.
‘They should also be flexible on school leaving times, for example allowing older siblings to go home early when younger brothers or sisters are leaving to avoid multiple journeys for parents.
‘Parents should be aware of the potential for disruption to school transport this afternoon, as it is possible that school transport services may be cancelled at short notice due to deteriorating conditions.
‘Accordingly, parents should endeavour to make contingency plans in case they have to collect their children from school.’
It adds that the situation is being kept under review centrally by the Education Authority and Department of Education with liaison ongoing with other public authorities under established civil contingency arrangements.
Information on the Met Office weather warnings and the areas covered is available here: https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/regional/ni
Schools situated in or close the amber warning zone should be mindful of the risks of high winds, power outages, damage to buildings, and significant disruption to transport services.
However ‘school leaders are being asked to monitor and assess the weather warnings in their areas and, if necessary, take local decisions’.
The statement adds: ‘The upgraded amber warning affects parts of Antrim, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone and will come into effect from 2pm to 7pm today.
‘Schools situated in or close to the amber warning zone should be mindful of the risks of high winds, power outages, damage to buildings, and significant disruption to transport services’.
Further information is available from the Met Office website https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/regional/ni
‘The situation will be kept under review centrally,’ adds the statement.
Storm Bram has created havoc at our airports with at least 10 flights from Belfast City Airport to Great Britain have been cancelled on Tuesday, along with 11 inbound flights from Great Britain to Belfast City Airport.
A spokesman for Belfast City Airport said: ‘As a result of adverse weather conditions across the UK, there may be disruption to flights due to depart and arrive at Belfast City Airport.
‘Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline directly.
‘Live flight information can also be found at belfastcityairport.com.’
A spokesman for Belfast International Airport said: ‘There’s been no impact so far, but we would encourage any passengers to check with their airlines throughout the day.
‘The Airport’s departures and arrivals section of the website will also be kept up to date.’
Meanwhile several dozen flights have been cancelled between Dublin Airport and Great Britain on Tuesday.
As of 07:00 (local time) a total of 42 flights have been cancelled at Dublin Airport, including 21 inbound and 21 outbound. Further cancellations are possible later as wind speeds are expected to increase.
Meanwhile the 1:30, 15:30 and 19:30 Stena Line sailings between Belfast and Cairnryan have been cancelled on Tuesday, and the 23:30 service is also "in doubt."
The 02:15 and 08:15 Stena Line sailings from Dublin to Holyhead have also been cancelled, along with the 04:00, 09:00 and 15:15 services from Holyhead to Dublin.
All P&O ferry sailings between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled on Tuesday.
NI Direct is advising members of the public not to visit any forests, country parks or nature reserves until the weather warning has ended.
And a number of councils said they are closing some facilities during the period of the weather warning.
Ards and North Down Borough Council – Bangor Castle Walled Garden (including the Jingle Bell Trail) is closed
Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council – All parks, play parks, open spaces and golf courses closed, Outdoor Facilities & Caravan Parks, Clare Glen, Craigavon Golf & Ski Centre, Gosford, Darkley & Carnagh Forest Parks, Kinnego Marina, Navan Centre, Oxford Island
Belfast City Council – Victoria Park, Belfast Christmas Market closed
Derry City and Strabane District Council – All cemeteries - except for burials closed, All parks - including Brooke Park Leisure Centre,
Play areas and other Council-owned open spaces
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council – Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail, Gortin Glens Forest Park (including scenic drive), Lough Navar Forest Drive, Household Recycling Centres (due to risk of flying debris), Forthill Park, Henry Street Dog Park, Killyfole Walk, North Fermanagh Valley Park, Arleston Dog Park, St Julian's Park
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council – Lisburn Light Trail closed
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council – Ballymena parks: Peoples Park, Sentry Hill, Memorial Park and Bracknamuckley Wood
Carrickfergus parks: Shaftsbury and Joymount, Larne parks: Dixon Park, Larne Town Park and Carnfunnock Country Park walkways
Bentra Golf Course
Mid Ulster District Council – Ballyronan Caravan Park, OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory – Davagh, Dungannon Park, Café and Caravan Park
Roundlake Caravan Park, Hill of the O'Neill (Ranfurly House Remaining open), Pomeroy Forest Building
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council – Household recycling centres, Forest/Country Parks including Castlewellan, Delamont, Kilbroney, Slieve Gullion and Warrenpoint Municipal Park
All associated facilities Cafes, Forest drives, Mountain Bike trails etc
Newcastle and Killough harbour