One person was injured by falling debris in Belfast city centre amid Storm Isha’s approach
By Barra Best
BBC News NI weather presenter
Flights and ferry sailings have been cancelled and disrupted as Storm Isha hits Northern Ireland.
Thousands of homes are without power on Sunday evening across NI.
A yellow weather warning began at noon, with high winds of up to 80mph (130km/h) forecast on some coasts and gusts of between 60 and 70mph (100-115km/h) inland.
All Aer Lingus flights between Belfast City Airport and Great Britain have been cancelled for the rest of Sunday.
The decision affects 19 flights due to land or take off at the airport.
All British Airways flights from 18:00 GMT have also been cancelled, affecting five services travelling between Belfast City and London airports.
Dublin Airport said 102 flights had been cancelled and 27 diverted to other airports, including four to Belfast International on Sunday afternoon.
The disruption is likely to affect thousands of passengers.
Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport warned of further disruption.
Ferry services between Larne, Belfast and Cairnryan have also been cancelled, while Monday morning sailings are “in doubt”, P&O Ferries said.
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In Belfast city centre on Sunday afternoon, police advised pedestrians to avoid the Castle Lane area.
Officers closed Castle Lane at its junction with Royal Avenue after a member of the public was struck by falling debris. They were treated at the scene by emergency services, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said.
As Storm Isha increases in severity an amber warning, the second highest level, came into force from 18:00 GMT.
The amber alert will remain effective until 06:00 on Monday.
It means there is an increased risk of power cuts, damage to buildings, travel disruption, injuries and danger to life because of large coastal waves.
The Met Office has said there is a small chance of peak winds of 90mph (145 km/h) in exposed coastal or hilly areas during this period.
The yellow wind warning will also expire at noon on Monday.
Pedestrians were advised to avoid Castle Lane in central Belfast on Sunday afternoon
It is warning of debris on roads, fallen trees, the possibility of flooding and, in coastal areas, big waves.
The department has also advised that continuing industrial action could hamper response and clean-up operations, and other DfI services in areas affected, including:
- Assistance to those incidents with most impact to life and property
- Response and clear-up operation to fallen trees and debris on the roads
- Repair of serious defects such as manhole collapse or potholes
- Gully clearing and cleansing
- Response to calls to the flood incident line
- Response to flood emergencies
The Met Office advised people to stay up to date with weather forecasts as well as advice from local authorities and emergency services.
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In Northern Ireland, Newry and Mourne District Council closed Castlewellan, Delamont, Kilbroney, and Slieve Gullion forest and country parks on Sunday due to the storm.
They are expected to open again from noon on Monday, subject to safety inspections.
Red alerts issued
Meanwhile in the Republic of Ireland, a number of severe weather warnings are also in place.
A rare red status warning – the highest level – has been issued by Irish weather service Met Éireann for three counties.
The wind alert came into force at 17:00 local time for counties Galway and Mayo, and will come into force at 21:00 for Donegal.
Severe and destructive winds are forecast, especially for coastal and exposed areas.
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A yellow warning came into force for the whole of the Republic of Ireland at 11:00 on Sunday.
It was upgraded to ‘status orange’ on Sunday evening, which will remain in place until the early hours of Monday.
Some flights from Dublin Airport have already been diverted to other airports, while several have had to circle before landing.
Further flight disruption can be expected over the next 24 hours.
Ferry sailings between Dublin and Holyhead on Sunday have also been cancelled.
Met Éireann has warned of large coastal waves, difficult travel conditions, fallen trees, and damage to power lines.
A status red marine weather warning has also been issued for coastal waters to the north and north west of Ireland, valid from 19:00 local time Sunday until 01:00 Monday.
Ireland’s Road Safety Authority (RSA) has warned motorists to slow down and allow extra distance as strong winds hit.
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Storm Isha marks the ninth named storm of the season, which started on 1 September, and is the first storm beginning with the letter ‘I’ since February 2016.
It follows in the wake of Storm Henk, which wreaked havoc and caused severe damage in parts of the UK in early January.
The worst of the strong winds are expected later on Sunday
Once the storm passes there will be some relief from very strong winds until another wind warning comes into force at 16:00 on Tuesday.
It is forecast to stay in place until noon on Wednesday, with more disruption to travel and utilities expected in that period.
However, the timing of that warning could change between now and then.
