Storm Bert: major disruption across Northern Ireland as roads closed and railway lines flooded

The arrival of Storm Bert has brought disruption across the north - flooding and fallen trees have resulted in a number of road closures, while some railway lines have also been closed.

The Met Office has put a yellow warning for wind in place from 5am until 7pm on Saturday, with wind speeds expected to reach up to 70mph in places, while an overnight warning for snow and rain will remain until 11am.

Translink has announced ‘severe disruption’ to services after flooding has caused damage to railway infrastructure.

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A bus substitution is in place between Antrim and Lanyon Place on the Derry line due to flooding, while the Belfast to Dublin line has reopened - delays are expected.

Police are urging road users to take care, with specific warnings put in place for a number of roads.

‘Significant flooding’ had been reported at the Broadway Roundabout in Belfast, impacting traffic to and from the Royal Victoria Hospital - the road has since fully reopened, according to TrafficWatchNI.

Bad flooding was also reported on the Ravenhill Road near Martyrs Memorial Church, while some roads in the Newtownabbey area have been closed.

“There is a fallen tree on the Belfast Road, and there is also a report of a fallen tree on the Springvale Road, between Ballyhalbert and Ballywalter, at its junction with the Inishargie Road. Both lanes are currently blocked as a result of this,” a police spokesperson said.

Fallen trees are obstructing the the Dergbrough Road in Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, while rock falls in Co Antrim are obstructing parts of the Coast Road at Black Arch, Ballygally, and The Slips.

In Co Tyrone, flooding is impacting the A5 in a number of areas, including outside Newtownstewart near the Mellon Country Inn and at Crawford’s Bridge, while the Drumlegagh Road heading into Omagh is also flooded.

“Road users are also advised to approach the junction at Hospital Road near Hydebank, Castlereagh, with caution due to high water levels,” a police spokesperson said.

In Dungiven, a shed roof has been reported to have been blown onto the the Ballyquinn Road, according to police.

Meanwhile, flooding on the Hillhall Road, Lisburn, has led to its closure at junctions with the Pinehill Road and Ballylesson Road, in both directions.

Snow continues to affect higher ground throughout Saturday morning - the Coleraine Mountain Road is ‘passable with care’ after reopening, according to TrafficWatchNI.

A gritter was stuck in the area earlier on Saturday morning.

Snow continues to impact driving conditions on the Windyhill Road in Limavady, the Glenpark Road, Omagh, and the Glenshane Pass - as the snow begins to melt in some areas, flooding is expected.

In the Republic, Storm Bert has left more than 60,000 homes without power, according to the Electricity Supply Board (ESB).

Met Éireann has put red warnings in place for counties Galway and Cork until midday, while amber warnings are in place for Waterford, Kerry, Clare, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim.

Major flooding has been reported on Bridge Street in Killybegs, Co Donegal, with flooding also reported in Galway.

Most weather alerts will be lifted by the afternoon, however a yellow warning for wind will remain in place for Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow until 2am on Sunday.