Northern Ireland

Storm Kathleen: Travel disruption, fallen trees and power outages as high winds batter Northern Ireland

The strongest winds reaching 69mph were recorded in Co Down

PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 06-04-24 Storm Kathleen The scene in Whitehead this morning. A Yellow warning of wind is in place as Storm Kathleen makes landfall on Saturday. Exposed parts of Northern Ireland could be hit with winds of up to 70mph. Photo - Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press
The scene in Whitehead as Storm Kathleen battered Northern Ireland over the weekend. (Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Pres)
By Suzanne McGonagle

The impact of Storm Kathleen led to disruption to flights and ferry sailings as well as power outages across many parts of Northern Ireland over the weekend.

The strongest winds reaching 69mph were recorded in Co Down as a yellow weather warning remained in place throughout Saturday.

Blustery conditions and rain continued to grip many parts of the north on Sunday, with the PSNI warning that the “effects of yesterday’s storm are still being felt” as flooding and fallen trees continued to cause travel disruption.

A spokeswoman said: “Please exercise caution on the roads, and leave additional time for your journey where necessary”.

Flooding in the Whiterock area of Co Down at the Weekend during Storm Kathleen.
Flooding in the Whiterock area of Co Down at the weekend during Storm Kathleen

Several flights - including all Aer Lingus services at Belfast City Airport and some other flights from Dublin - as well as ferry sailings were cancelled as a result of the adverse weather.

There were multiple instances of fallen trees in the north throughout Saturday amid the high winds.

Damage caused to a car after A fallen tree during Storm Kathleen in The Ballybeen area of Dundonald at the weekend. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Damage caused to a car by a fallen tree during Storm Kathleen in the Ballybeen area of Dundonald at the weekend. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN

Areas affected included Holywood, Carryduff, Killyleagh, Dundonald, Dunloy and Newtownards.

The Met Office had warned of blustery showers in parts of Northern Ireland, with strong to gale force southerly winds and possibly severe gales for a time along the Down and Antrim coasts.

For the second time this year, part of the roof of Titanic Belfast was damaged by strong winds.

A spokesperson said the visitor centre was closed on Saturday afternoon and would remain closed on Sunday as a “precautionary measure”.

Harbour police remained at the Titanic Belfast building after damage was caused to the roof of the building during Storm Kathleen. PICTURE MAL MCCANN

“Due to the ongoing inclement weather, access to the roof to assess the damage is limited and remedial works can not yet begin to take place,” he said.

The centre, which was previously been impacted by Storm Isha in January, is due to re-open on Monday.

PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 06-04-24 Storm Kathleen The scene in Whitehead this morning. A Yellow warning of wind is in place as Storm Kathleen makes landfall on Saturday. Exposed parts of Northern Ireland could be hit with winds of up to 70mph. Photo - Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press
Exposed parts of Northern Ireland were hit with winds of up to 70mph. PICTURE: ANDREW MCCARROLL/ PACEMAKER PRESS

Around 750 customers were left without power, according to NIE Networks, which said high winds caused “a low level of damage to the electricity network”.

“Our teams are working to repair any damage caused and restore power as quickly as possible,” a spokesperson said.

In the Republic, a peak of around 34,000 outages was recorded on Saturday.

A spokesman for ESB Networks said: “ESB Networks crews will continue to work late into the evening with a view to restoring supply to the vast majority of impacted customers by tonight.

“However, there will be some customers without power overnight.”

A yellow wind warning remained in place across parts of the Republic until 8pm on Sunday.

Forecaster Met Eireann had warned of gale force southerly winds bringing a risk of difficult travel conditions, fallen trees, power outages and flooding along coastal areas.