Over 300 flooding incidents and thousand of homes without power as Storm Franklin hits

Strong winds at Seapark outside Holywood in Co. Down, as Storm Franklin moves in across Northern Ireland. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Strong winds at Seapark outside Holywood in Co. Down, as Storm Franklin moves in across Northern Ireland. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Credit: Presseye.

Storm Franklin has hit Northern Ireland with strong wind and rain, leaving thousands of homes without power and some areas flooded.

The Department of Infrastructure has dealt with over 331 incidents of flooding and obstructions on roads across Northern Ireland.

Almost 175 of these incidents have been recorded in the north and west of the province.

Pumps have been deployed and sandbags have also been laid in the worst affected areas.

Flooding can be reported to the flooding incident line on 0300 2000 100 or can be reported online.

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks have confirmed that around 3,000 customers remain cut off.

At the height there was around 7,500 customers without power across Northern Ireland.

NIE Networks map showing power cuts across Northern Ireland as of 6am. Credit: NIE Networks

A spokesperson for NIE Networks stressed that engineering teams were working through the night and into this morning to restore power to those affected.

They also confirmed that local incident centres were currently in operation.

A Met Office amber wind warning across many parts of Northern Ireland expired at 7am.

However, a yellow warning for wind remains in place across all of Northern Ireland and many parts of the UK.

It is to stay in force until 1pm.

Winds of 76mph were recorded overnight at Magilligan in Co. Londonderry.

It is the third named storm in the space of a week following Storms Dudley and Eugene.

  • WATCH: Craig Snell from the Met Office talks about the impact of the storm:

A number of ferry services across the Irish Sea have also been cancelled because of the weather, with some flights from Belfast City and Belfast International Airport also facing delays.

Both the PSNI and Trafficwatch NI have warned of difficult driving conditions because of the weather.

The PSNI in the Mid Ulster area said that "trees are falling like dominoes," with many roads being blocked.

RAC Breakdown Spokesman Rod Dennis said: “Drivers will be glad to see the back of Storm Eunice but it looks like conditions on the roads will remain challenging right through the weekend.

"With winds still strong and gusty, it’s important drivers don’t take any chances, so we urge them to slow down and leave plenty of space between themselves and the vehicle in front.

“It’s not just strong winds that they’ll need to contend with – on Sunday intense rainfall becomes a feature making driving arduous.

"If conditions get particularly bad again, people should consider postponing their journeys, and for those who have to drive, it’s vital they keep their wits about them at all times.”