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Pictures: Storm Doris wreaks havoc as thousands of homes are left without power

 Storm Doris brings down a large tree in Lambeg. Picture by Mal McCann
 Storm Doris brings down a large tree in Lambeg. Picture by Mal McCann  Storm Doris brings down a large tree in Lambeg. Picture by Mal McCann

Storm Doris swept across the country this morning with violent gusts of wind and power cuts to thousands of homes and businesses in the north.

Powerful winds have also led to the delay and diversion of flights and created treacherous road conditions with fallen trees on some routes.

At one point more than 8,000 homes were without electricity this morning, according to NIE Networks. That number is currently sitting at 3,500 homes and businesses.

Those having to travel are advised to take care especially if driving high sided vehicles.

Traffic Watch NI told motorists to avoid the Ballyskeagh Road in Lisburn this morning because of a fallen tree and the Ballykeel Road in Co Down near the bridge.  The A509 Derrylin Rd is partly blocked but passable a mile north of Bellanaleck towards Enniskillen. It also advised of a tree down at Derrylecagh Row. 

Police have advised that Station Road in Scarva has been reopened following earlier road traffic collision. 

Some flights into The George Best Belfast City Airport were diverted to Belfast International. Some flights from Heathrow have been cancelled. Aer Lingus has cancelled almost all flights between the UK and Dublin.

The Met office, which issued a yellow weather warning for Northern Ireland until 2pm today, said that Storm Doris had rapidaly deepened over the last 24 hours and was now a 'weather bomb'. 

#stormdoris affecting lights in Ballyhack @GRobinsonDUP @Chris_Lyttle @RobinNewton4MLA @Joanne_Bunting @SFaoite @naomi_long @AndyAllen88 pic.twitter.com/nyo16R5KAq — Johnny Stewart (@jsni) February 23, 2017

In the Republic an estimated 56,000 homes are without power from 770 faults. 

Sara McClintock, NIE Networks’ Communications, said: "We are already in position to get customers back on supply as quickly as humanly possible consistent with safety, and to keep customers regularly updated and informed. Our local incident centres have been open from early morning and additional repair teams are being drafted into the areas where they are most needed.”

Snow is predicted to reach 20 to 30cm high in parts of Scotland, while a 94mph gust of wind was recorded in north-west Wales.

NIE customers can call the helpline on 03457 643 643 to report faults or report online at nienetworks.co.uk.