Storm Amy: Man dies, thousands without power and travel disruption

There have been a number of road closures due to fallen trees, such as this one in Dunadry, County Antrim

Flights and trains have been cancelled and a number of roads are closed as Storm Amy brings disruption to the island of Ireland and Scotland.

In the Republic of Ireland, a man in his 40s has died in County Donegal in a "weather-related incident", gardaí (Irish police) have said.

About 40,000 properties in Northern Ireland are currently without power, down from a peak of 65,000 according to NIE Networks. They anticipate it may take a number of days before the restoration process fully concludes.

A yellow wind warning for all of Northern Ireland has been issued, lasting from 14:00 on Friday until 23:59 on Saturday.

A further yellow weather warning for rain has been issued across all of Northern Ireland, lasting until 12:00 on Saturday.

An earlier amber warning for wind across counties Fermanagh, Londonderry, Antrim and Tyrone, which was in place from 15:00, ended at 20:00.

Translink have confirmed all trains lines in Northern Ireland have closed, while Belfast International Airport and Belfast City Airport have advised passengers to check the status of their flight with their airline.

Meanwhile, more than 120,000 customers are without power in the Republic of Ireland, the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) has said.

'Exercise extra care'

Multiple agencies have continued to meet on Friday evening as they respond to the impact of Storm Amy.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the "recovery operation" will continue into Saturday.

"We are continuing to urge road users to exercise extra care and attention when driving as surface water, debris or temporary restrictions are a possibility. Many roads are currently impassable due to fallen trees," they said in a statement.

"Everyone should avoid unnecessary travel but if you must travel take extra care and please reduce your speed."

'Really quite extreme'

Bonnie Diamond, from the Met Office, said a wind gust of 92mph, provisionally a new October record, was recorded at the Magilligan weather station in County Londonderry on Friday afternoon.

"That actually matches the highest wind gust that we had with Storm Éowyn earlier this year.

"While Éowyn had these winds over a much wider area, it just shows how powerful today's storm has been," she told BBC's Evening Extra programme.

Ballypatrick in County Antrim saw winds of 73mph and 71mph at Castlederg in County Tyrone.

Ms Diamond added "really quite extreme" gusts of about 100mph were forecast for the Scottish Hebrides.

Numerous trees have fallen due to the high winds, including this one in east Belfast

The amber warning for high winds covers large parts of north and north western Scotland from 17:00 to 21:00 on Saturday.

A number of ScotRail and ferry services have been cancelled and some bridges will be closed to high sided vehicles.

40,000 properties currently without power

NIE Networks are advising that approximately 40,000 properties are currently without power.

At the height of the event approximately 65,000 customers were without supply.

Following the end of the amber alert, an initial assessment of the damage indicates approximately 1000 faults have occurred across Northern Ireland with damage including broken overhead power lines, trees fallen on power lines and some broken poles.

Alex Houston, NIE Networks Operations Manager, said they "anticipate it may take a number of days before the restoration process fully concludes".

"This is very much an evolving picture, given the ongoing yellow alert, however we will be working to restore all customers as quickly as possible. We would again urge people to stay well clear of any broken or damaged electrical equipment," he added.

Road closures

There are a number of road closures across Northern Ireland, the Department for Infrastructure's TrafficWatchNI has said:

• The M1 west-bound is currently closed from junction 12 to junction 14, due to multiple fallen trees. The on-slip at junction 12 is also blocked by a fallen tree, road users have been advised to exit the motorway before junction 12 if possible

• Dungannon - M1 Tamnamore junction 14 is closed in both directions

• Ravernet Road in Lisburn is closed due to a tree leaning on power lines, with potential to fall

• The Creighton Road, Dunmurry, is currently closed in both directions due to a fallen tree

• Glencairn Way, Belfast is closed due to a fallen tree

• Strathmore Park South, Belfast is closed due to a fallen tree

• B38 Belfast Road has been closed to traffic following a partial verge collapse in the vicinity of Garlandstown Road and multiple instances of localised flooding along the route

• The A26 Moira Road is currently closed to traffic due to flooding following heavy rainfall

• The Foyle Bridge in Londonderry is also closed due to high winds

A section of the M1 was closed in both directions due to fallen trees

'Not sure what to do'

The shutters are down at Grand Central Station's train platforms

At Belfast's Grand Central Station on Friday evening, Gerard and Marian told BBC News NI that they had just returned from California.

Gerard said they travelled on a bus from Dublin and it was "shaky enough".

"We only actually found out about the [train] cancellation when we arrived so we don't know how we are going to get home to Ballymena," he said.

"They're saying we might not even be able to get a bus to Ballymena and instead get a bus to the International Airport and then head home," Marian added.

She said they are "not sure what to do".

Marian and Gerard said they took the bus up from Dublin and it was "shaky enough"

Katrina Byers said she is trying to get to Carrickfergus.

"I've only come in to sort some stuff before I go on holidays," she said.

"I've had to ring my husband to get him to sort me.

"Translink's only advice was to talk to information and that was it, they've offered no help," she added.

Chris Caldwell and Jamie Frew had to call for a lift to Cullybackey

Chris Caldwell and Jamie Frew were attempting to travel to Cullybackey.

"We were relying on a train to get us back to Ballymena but now they're shut, we've a boy coming down from Cullybackey to come lift us," Jamie said.

"It's a long journey for him but it's probably better than getting the bus," he added.

"We're sound enough now that we've a lift sorted."

Michael and Iitta arrived in Ireland two days ago

Michael and Iitta are from California.

"On my booking app it says the trains should still be running, so we only found out when we got here," Iitta said.

"We arrived in Ireland two days ago from California and want to get back to Dublin," she added.

"We know very little information right now," Michael said.

Translink also confirmed that all local bus services in Magherafelt, Cookstown and Dungannon have been suspended for the remainder of the evening.

'Everyone loves an early Friday'

On Friday morning, the Education Authority (EA) in Northern Ireland told schools in counties Antrim, Londonderry, Tyrone and Fermanagh to close at midday "in the interests of safety".

Following the school closures, the EA thanked people for their "support and cooperation" during a "challenging day".

"We regret the disruption that was caused, but would again emphasise that safety will always be our overriding priority," the authority said in a statement.

They added that they expect the vast majority of all schools to open as normal on Monday, but there is a potential for further disruption, including to school meal provision.

A-Level student Patrick was in his ICT lesson when he received the "unexpected news"

At midday at Mercy College in north Belfast, corridors and classrooms were empty as students made their way home following the EA's announcement about closures.

A-Level student Patrick was in his ICT lesson when he received the "unexpected news".

While he said the closure was "unfortunate" given upcoming exams and coursework, a half-day does come as a small relief.

"It is a wee bit of a blessing," he told BBC News NI.

"Everyone loves a wee early Friday."

The early closure meant Rachel couldn't avail of school resources

Rachel's parents are both working, and with the "unexpected" closure, she was left figuring out a way back home and to work later on Friday.

"I didn't even bring a coat with me," she said.

While her Fridays are normally spent studying, the closure will prevent her from getting work done.

"Being in school's good for me because I'm able to use the computers whereas at home I don't have one," she added.

"It's good and beneficial for me to be here so leaving's just a bit unfortunate."

It was a busy morning at Mercy College, according to Principal Martin Moreland

Principal Martin Moreland said making the decision to close the school at any time can be difficult as "there's enough barriers" in front of young people trying to access education, but the EA's directive was "well received".

"When there's a collective decision made across the board it allows everybody to make that move together in the best interests of children and their safety," he said.

Mr Moreland said the school's closure has been "very disruptive but health and safety has to come to the fore" and said staff acted quickly to ensure pupils were sent home safely, and those who avail of free school meals were fed before leaving.

Emergency contacts

To report faults or emergencies you should contact:

• Northern Ireland Housing Executive: 03448 920 901

• Openreach: 08000 23 20 23

• Gas networks: 0800 002001

• NI Water: 03457 44 00 88 or visit niwater.com

• Flooding Incident Line: 0300 2000 100

• NIE Networks: 03457 643 643 or visit nienetworks.co.uk