Storm Boelo Cancels Belfast-Liverpool Ferry and Flights

Storm Boelo has cancelled flights and ferry sailings across the Irish Sea, including Stena Line's Sunday morning crossings between Belfast and Liverpool. Stena Line sailings from Belfast to Cairnryan were cancelled too, and sailings from Cairnryan to Belfast were affected. The Dublin to Holyhead sailing was not affected. P&O Ferries cancelled its 08:00 and 12:00 GMT sailings from Cairnryan and Larne.

Airports

At Belfast City Airport, flights to and from London, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Liverpool were cancelled. The airport said adverse weather across the UK could disrupt flights due to arrive and depart. Belfast International Airport cancelled 17 flights on Sunday morning and said delays could be expected.

At Dublin Airport, strong winds continued to affect operations. Graeme McQueen of the operator daa said airlines had so far cancelled 12 inbound and 12 outbound flights, mainly because of weather in other countries, and that more disruption was possible. All airports told passengers to check with their airlines.

Roads and power

Police said a number of roads in Northern Ireland were closed by fallen trees. Springwell Road in Groomsport, County Down, was shut, and Cootehall Road in Crawfordsburn was reduced to one lane. Ballyrobin Road in County Antrim and Glenshane Road in County Londonderry had reopened after being impassable earlier. The Foyle Bridge in Derry stayed closed because of the wind and was expected to reopen in mid-afternoon.

The Department for Infrastructure said it had received about 350 reports of incidents, including fallen trees and flooding. Temporary flood defences at Lockview Road and Laganbank Road in Belfast remained in place as a precaution.

Northern Ireland Electricity said 7,000 customers were without power. In the Republic of Ireland about 41,000 homes, farms and businesses had no electricity, mostly in the north-west. ESB Networks said it expected the vast majority to be reconnected by the evening.

On Saturday, the strongest gust in Northern Ireland reached 78mph at Orlock Head, County Down. Gusts of 83mph were recorded at Malin Head in Donegal. Winds were expected to ease through the afternoon.

Source: BBC News