Storm Boelo: Thousands without power and flights and ferries cancelled in Northern Ireland with fresh weather warning issued for week ahead
Thousands of homes are without power across Northern Ireland in the wake of Storm Boelo – with major disruption also facing travellers due to cancelled flights and ferries.
The worst hit areas are in Springfield in County Fermanagh and Bushmills in County Antrim, with Northern Ireland Electricity conforming that as of 10.30am on Sunday morning, approximately 7,000 customers remain without power.
Flights have been cancelled at Belfast’s two airports – as well as from Dublin.
Ferries between Belfast and Cairnryan, as well as to Liverpool were cancelled on Sunday morning.
The Met Office said winds during Storm Boelo peaked overnight with gusts of 60-70mph affecting areas in the warning zone, including Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and the far north of England, while gusts topped at more than 80mph in exposed coastal spots.
NIE said the storm has “resulted in a level of damage to the electricity network, leading to power outages for some customers”.
The body said that its Incident Centres, located across Northern Ireland with responsibility for coordinating our response, have been operational since Saturday afternoon.
“Our engineers and field teams were mobilised in advance of the storm and are continuing to respond across the network, working safely and efficiently to repair damage and restore supplies to affected customers as quickly as possible. As of 10.30am, approximately 7,000 customers remain without power.
“We would encourage any customers experiencing a power cut to report it online at www.nienetworks.co.uk or by contacting the NIE Networks Customer Helpline on 03457 643 643.
“We would also remind customers never to approach broken overhead power lines or damaged poles. Any damaged equipment should be treated as live. Please keep children and animals well away and report any damage to NIE Networks immediately on 03457 643 643”.
The Met Office has now issued a yellow wind warning across parts of Northern Ireland as a new wave of low pressure is set to bring more strong winds later on Monday and through to Tuesday.