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Storm Boelo brings disruption with the full force still to come

News imageMichelle Duffy A dark image of a lake-shore. There seems to be a lot of rain falling, with waves crashing against the rocks. There is a bench and a tree stump overlooking the water. Michelle Duffy
Lough Melvin in County Fermanagh felt the impact of Storm Boelo on Saturday

Storm Boelo has brought gusts of more than 70mph (113kph) to the east coast of Northern Ireland, with conditions due to worsen later.

Some sporting events and Halloween fireworks displays have been cancelled, flights and ferries disrupted, and the Foyle bridge in Londonderry is closed in both directions.

An amber warning covering parts of counties Antrim and Derry comes into force at 21:00 BST until 10:00 GMT on Sunday with gusts of about 80mph or more forecast in exposed areas.

A number of flights to and from Belfast City Airport and Dublin Airport have been cancelled.

In other developments:

  • A fallen tree/branch at Lambeg is affecting some rail services
  • Speed restrictions have been put in place on all railway lines, with bus substitutes available for some routes. Live train updates here

The strongest winds from Storm Boelo are expected Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

The Met Office says there is a good chance that power cuts may occur in the areas affected by the amber warning.

A less severe yellow weather warning is in place across Northern Ireland from 10:00 BST on Saturday until 12:00 GMT on Sunday.

What has been cancelled?

  • Several StenaLine ferry sailings between Belfast and Cairnryan, and Dublin and Holyhead have also been cancelled on Saturday
  • Derry City and Strabane District Council said cemeteries will be open on Saturday and closed on Sunday, except for funerals
  • Recycling centres will be open on Saturday but closed on Sunday, while outdoor sports facilities, parks and greenways will be closed on both days
  • Brooke Park leisure centre will be closed on Saturday and Sunday
  • Several Parkrun 5k events have been called off due to weather
  • Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has cancelled its fireworks display at Ballymoney on Saturday
  • Mid Ulster District Council has also cancelled its Halloween firework event which was due to be held at the Mid Ulster Sports Arena in Cookstown
  • The Antrim Senior Hurling Championship final, which was supposed to be on Sunday, has been postponed until 1 November
  • Glentoran's Irish Premiership match agaisnt Ballymena United was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch
  • The Women's Challenge Cup final at Windsor Park on Saturday between Glentoran and Cliftonville has been postponed until 27 October
  • The Sunflower Trophy motorcycle race meeting at Bishopscourt on Saturday has been cancelled
  • Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has postponed its spooked-out event at V36 until Sunday 1 November

Republic of Ireland warnings

  • The storm has caused a number of road closures in the Republic of Ireland
  • As of 17:30, more than 18,000 homes are without power
  • There has been disruption and delays to rail and bus services, severe disruption to outdoor events and very difficult travelling conditions
  • An orange wind warning is in place for counties Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo from 14:00 on Saturday until 09:00 on Sunday
  • A less severe yellow wind warning covering Connacht, Clare, Kerry and Limerick took effect at 13:00 on Saturday and will remain in place until 12:00 on Sunday
  • A separate yellow wind warning for County Donegal is in place and will run until 15:00 on Sunday