Storm Ashley led to cancelled sporting matches, delayed flights and caused widespread traffic disruption.
Winds of up to 70mph were expected until midnight, but improving conditions forecast for this morning should help things get back to normal quickly.
However, Translink has warned of potential delays to rail travel on Monday morning, and there are still expected to be widespread showers and some strong winds later.
On Sunday morning, the Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning for wind which covered the entirety of Northern Ireland as well as most of the rest of the UK.
The weather service said strong gales posed a risk to life, while the public was warned only to travel if absolutely necessary, with the weather warning later upgraded to amber — the second highest level — affecting counties Fermanagh, Londonderry, Tyrone and northern parts of Antrim until 8pm.
Winds of up to 81mph were recorded in Killowen, Co Down.
Some passengers are currently on board planes at Belfast City Airport were stuck onboard for house after they were told they could not get off safely due to the weather conditions.
The airport said on Sunday evening it was “working closely with its ground teams to help passengers disembark planes” as strong winds raged.
Planes that were due to fly between Belfast City and Newcastle, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Leeds, Manchester and Southampton were all cancelled.
Two British Airways flights from London Heathrow were also cancelled.The Met Office also advised the public to secure loose items outside homes, including the likes of bins, garden furniture, sheds and trampolines, while ensuring phones were charged and a torch was nearby should there be any power cuts.
Those living and travelling near coastal areas were also warned of high waves.
Storm Ashley also caused widespread traffic disruption with fallen trees reported in Newry, south Belfast, and Enniskillen.
Over 70 areas registered power cuts with the NIE Networks in areas including Lisburn, Newry, Portadown, Magherafelt, and Castlederg, with outages leaving thousands of homes without electricity.
At 5pm around 4,000 customers were without power.
Scroll down to read our live coverage of today’s storm
Key updates
HM Coastguard from Scotland rescue person from Rathlin Island during Storm Ashley
Belfast City Airport ‘working with ground teams’ to help passengers disembark
Belfast City Airport cancel and delay several flights
Storm Ashley hits Ulster GAA Club Championship finals
Department for Infrastructure issue updated advice as Storm Ashley hits NI
PSNI warns the public of putting themselves in ‘unnecessary danger’
Temporary flood defences in place in Belfast
Aer Lingus flights cancelled
Amber weather warning added to NI
Thousands of homes still without power across Northern Ireland as amber warning ends
The Met Office’s amber weather warning put in place for Co Fermanagh and parts of Co Armagh has now ended, however a yellow weather warning for wind across all of Northern Ireland remains in place until midnight.
According to NIE, thousands of home across Northern Ireland remain without power, with the electricity group saying their engineers are working hard to restore those affected. Several roads across Northern Ireland also remain closed due to fallen trees.
Thank you for joining us for our coverage of Storm Ashley. For further updates please stay tuned to belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
HM Coastguard from Scotland rescue person from Rathlin Island during Storm Ashley
The HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R199 from Scotland has airlifted a person on Rathlin Island to hospital.
The rescue was aided by Ballycastle Coastguard who helped during the severe weather. It’s understood the person was taken to hospital in Belfast from Ballycastle, and their condition is currently unknown.
The Rathlin Island ferry was among several ferry services to suspend travel amidst Storm Ashley.
SDLP MLA diverted to Shannon Airport
Patient airlifted from Rathlin Island
Emergency services at incident in Bangor
Tree blocking road in Newtownards
BBC presenter among passengers stranded at Belfast airport runway
Belfast City Airport ‘working with ground teams’ to help passengers disembark
Belfast City Airport has said it is working closely with its ground teams to help passengers disembark planes.
Some passengers are currently on board aircrafts at the airport and have been told they cannot get off due to the weather conditions.
A spokesperson for Belfast City Airport said:
“We appreciate the inconvenience caused by adverse weather conditions however the health and safety of our passengers and our staff is of the utmost importance.
“We are therefore working closely with our ground handling staff and airline partners to facilitate the safe disembarkation of passengers as soon as possible.”
UPDATE: It is understood passengers have now disembarked several aircraft at Belfast City Airport. One passenger told the Belfast Telegraph they were on the ground for nearly 4 hours due to safety concerns over high winds from Storm Ashley.
80mph winds recorded in South Down
Belfast City Airport cancel and delay several flights
Belfast City Airport has cancelled several departures amidst Storm Ashley.
The following Aer Lingus flights – 17:55 to Birmingham (EI3648), the 18.00 to Manchester ( EI3618), 18.05 to Leeds Bradford (EI3678) and 18.50 to Edinburgh (EI3658) – have all been cancelled.
The British Airways departure to London Heathrow (BA1425) at 19.40 has also been cancelled.
Several flights have also had their timings change, including the following easyJet flights –
EZY262 – Bristol – Due to depart at 19:30
EZY473 – Glasgow – Due to depart at 19:15
EZY804 – London Gatwick – Due to depart at 21:15
EZY724 – Manchester – Due to depart at 21:10
NIE gives update on power outages
Over 4,000 without power across Northern Ireland according Northern Ireland Electricity Network (NIE)
According to NIE, there are over 60 power cuts currently ongoing across Northern Ireland, an increase of over 20 in the past several hours meaning around 4,000 in Northern Ireland customers are currently without power in Northern Ireland.
NIE warned of potential power outages due to Storm Ashley and asked the public to check their website or contact them to report any cuts.
Eight power cuts are currently ongoing in the Plantation Road area of Co Armagh, while four have been recorded in the Lisburn area of Co Antrim.
NIE issues advice over power outages
Two roads closed due to fallen trees as Storm Ashley continues to disrupt traffic
Two roads have been closed due to fallen trees amidst Storm Ashley.
The Damolly Road in Newry is currently closed with police advising motorists seek alterative routes.
While the Enniskillen Road, known locally as Mossfield Straight in Co Fermanagh – is also closed due to a fallen tree which is currently resting on electrical cables close to the Baragh Road. Police have asked the public to avoid the area.
Portaferry Road in Co Down closed
Road users are advised that the Portaferry Road has been closed in both directions, due to high water levels causing flooding. Officers are at the location, which is approximately 1 mile south of Newtownards, to divert traffic. Please seek an alternative route for your journey.
Storm Ashley hits Ulster GAA Club Championship finals
Over 40 reports of power cuts across Northern Ireland
Several areas across Northern Ireland have reported a loss of power, according to Northern Ireland Electricity Network in the midst of Storm Ashley.
Over 40 areas including Lisburn, Newry, Portadown, Magherafelt, and Castlederg have all reported power outages.
Areas such as Ballycastle and Ballintoy have reported multiple in the area.
NIE Network has asked anyone who has a loss of electricity supply or who encounters a hazardous situation to contact its customer helpline at 03457 643 643.
Road closed due to fallen tree
Stormont department warns public not to attend parks or forests during storm
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ (DAERA) is advising the public not to visit affected Forests, Country Parks and Nature Reserves in the affected areas until the high winds subside. There is an increased likelihood and risk associated with falling branches and debris. The Department will endeavour to reinstate any affected public access as soon as possible.
Monitoring of river levels and tidal surges has been ongoing and will continue until the weather warning has elapsed. Rivers teams remain on standby and have been checking and clearing drainage screens and other assets. Regional Community Resilience Groups have also been advised of weather patterns and to make appropriate preparations.
The power of water is often on show during a storm as waves crash against harbour walls, piers and cliffs. It looks spectacular but surges can easily sweep a person off their feet and into trouble. All it takes is one wave to drag you out to sea – a dramatic photograph or selfie is not worth risking your life. If you see someone get carried away by a wave, call 999 and ask for Coastguard.
NIE Networks is reminding the public to stay clear of any damaged electricity equipment and report it immediately to the Customer Helpline on 03457 643 643. Members of the public should never approach a broken pole or electricity line.
Should customers experience a power cut they can check for updates at Powercheck NI (powercheck.nienetworks.co.uk) and report the fault online or call the NIE Networks Customer Helpline on 03457 643 643.
UK set to be battered by up to 80mph winds in first named storm of season
