Storm Jocelyn: Thousands of customers still without electricity as NIE warns tonight’s storm will bring more power outages

Only necessary journeys are advised amid a high risk of fallen branches, trees, and debris on the roads as Storm Jocelyn swoops in.

One the of main routes to Belfast International Airport has been closed due to a fallen tree.

The Oldstone was closed between the Belfast Road and the Seven Mile Street around 6.30pm on Tuesday night.

A warning for strong winds and heavy rain came into force at 4pm, just one day after Storm Isha caused major disruption. The warning will remain in place until 1pm tomorrow and during this time there is a risk of large waves at the coast and debris on the roads.

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At 5pm NIE said 4,500 customers were still without power and warned that power cuts were likely to be caused tonight by Storm Jocelyn.

Officials from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) have been working with the PSNI, NIE and other agencies to consider the response to the storm.

Storm weather

A DfI spokesperson said: “Storm Jocelyn is expected to bring strong winds from 4 pm today and a yellow Met Office warning has been issued and will remain in place until 1 pm on Wednesday.

“The advice is to consider if your journey is necessary and to be aware there is a high risk of fallen trees, branches, or other debris on the road.

“Where roads are closed people are reminded to adhere to road signs and follow any diversions in place.”

Police have advised this evening that King Street in Newcastle, Co Down, is closed due to a fallen tree.

NI Traffic Watch has confirmed that the Old Stone Road between the A6 Belfast Road and Seven Mile Straight is closed due to a fallen tree, this is the main road to Belfast International Airport.

In Derry, the Foyle Bridge is currently closed to high-sided vehicles.

The A23 Ballygowan road is closed at Moneyreagh due to a fallen tree with police attending the incident.

The department also said that ongoing industrial action being taken by public sector workers may disrupt the clear-up operation.

It added: “The clear-up operation following Storm Isha continues, to address the remaining obstructions on the road and significant interruptions to electricity supplies.

“Further disruption is expected.”

Man died in Co Derry

Yesterday, a man in his sixties died after his car struck a fallen tree and another vehicle in Limavady as thousands of homes across the island were left without power and airport activity was disrupted.

Meanwhile, one of Northern Ireland’s most popular visitor attractions has been closed to the public due to storm damage.

In a social media post, Titanic Belfast confirmed that it had closed its doors to safeguard public and staff.

It said: “Due to damage caused to its roof during Storm Isha and further inclement weather from Storm Jocelyn preventing safe access to the roof, Titanic Belfast has taken the decision to close, to safeguard the public and its staff and to allow for further assessment of the damage.

“The safety of the public and its staff are Titanic Belfast’s priority and as such access to the building is closed and customers are being asked not to come to the site. All pre-booked customers will be notified and refunded.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused.”

The yellow weather warning comes into force from 4.00 pm today until 1.00 pm tomorrow with travel disruption expected.

A number of community assistance centres were opened across Northern Ireland from noon until 3 pm for those still affected by power cuts, offering hot drinks and information.

While engineers attempt to complete long-term repairs, NIE Networks has warned that some customers may lose power during restoration efforts.

In the Republic of Ireland, the majority of customers still without power are in the northwest of the island.

Status Orange wind warnings are in place for Donegal, Mayo and Galway and a Status Yellow wind warning for Clare, Kerry, Galway and Mayo is in effect until 2 am tomorrow, with very strong and gusty southwest-to-west winds forecast.

Why is the storm called Jocelyn?

Storm Jocelyn is named after Northern Ireland astrophysicist Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell.

The Met Office

Amber and yellow weather warnings for wind have been issued covering much of the UK, together with yellow warnings for rain covering parts of western and southern Scotland, and north-west England.

A yellow warning for ice has also been issued across northern and eastern parts of Scotland.

Gusts of 80mph could be experienced in exposed areas, with 40-50mm of rain possible over higher ground, the forecaster said.

Met Office chief meteorologist Steve Willington said Storm Jocelyn, named by Met Éireann, could cause further disruption hot on the heels of Storm Isha.

He said: “Although this system will be a step down relative to Storm Isha, with the damage and clean up still underway, we could potentially see more impacts from Storm Jocelyn.

“Outbreaks of heavy rain on Tuesday could bring rainfall accumulations of 15 to 20mm quite widely with 40 to 50mm over higher ground in southwest Scotland, the Scottish Highlands and parts of northwest England.

“Wind gusts are expected to reach 55 to 65mph across northwestern Scotland while there is potential for winds to gust to reach 75 to 80mph in a few places, in particular, exposed parts of the Western Isles and coastal northwest Scotland early on Wednesday morning.”

Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said today would be another wet day before windspeeds started to pick up towards the evening.

“Tuesday will be quite a wet day for many people with a rain front bringing the chance of disruption,” he said.

“Higher wind speeds will start to develop overnight on Tuesday into Wednesday morning.

“Windspeeds from Storm Jocelyn will be a slight notch down from Storm Isha, but with the cleanup still underway, more disruption is likely.”

Temperatures were expected to remain mild.

Further transport disruption was expected today. ScotRail services across Scotland will be suspended from 7 pm and there will be no rush-hour services on Wednesday, the railway operator has said.

Martin Thomson, national operations manager for resilience at Transport Scotland, said: “Across the wider network, we can expect to see more delays and cancellations with ferries, flights and rail from Tuesday into Wednesday morning.”