Storm Ali: Man killed by fallen tree in Co Armagh
A man in his 20s has died after being stuck by a falling tree in Co Armagh on Wednesday.
Last updated 19th Sep 2018
The Health and Safety Executive NI is now leading an investigation into the circumstances of the man's death.
Calls to the NIAS and NIFRS were made at around 12.15pm, after the tree fell on the man near the entrance to Slieve Gullion Forest Park.
Another man in his 40s was injured and has been taken to hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile in the Republic, a woman, thought to be in her 50s, has died after the caravan she was in blew off a cliff onto a beach in the west of Ireland.
It happened at Claddaghduff, near Clifden in Co Galway, on Wednesday morning.
The west of Ireland has been battered by high winds caused by Storm Ali.
A statement from Irish police said: "At approximately 7.45am a report was received that a caravan had blown off the cliff at the above location.
"A search was carried out at the scene on the beach and after a short time the body of a female in her 50s was recovered.
"Her body is expected to be removed to University College Galway for a post-mortem examination. The local coroner has been notified.''
It's understood the victim was sleeping at the time when strong winds lifted the caravan from the ground and blew it onto a stretch of coastline.
Irish President Michael D Higgins offered his sympathies and urged the public to be cautious when travelling:
"I was deeply saddened to learn that storm Ali has already claimed one victim today in Claddagduff, Co Galway.
"As President of Ireland, may I express my deepest condolences to her family.
"I would also take this opportunity to pay tribute to all those, in statutory and voluntary organisations around the country, who are helping and stand ready to assist their fellow citizens, and who are working to maintain essential services around the country.''
A total of 140,000 homes and businesses, mainly in the south-west of Ireland, have been left without power due to the bad weather, the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) said.
In Northern Ireland, 65,000 homes are without power.
The majority of faults are currently located in the Omagh, Dungannon and Enniskillen areas, however, but the stronger winds will move north and east through the day.
NIE says its Incident Management Centre at Craigavon and twelve Local Incident Centres across Northern Ireland have been open from early morning in preparation for this storm.
A spokesperson said “Customers can contact us online at nienetworks.co.uk or by phone on 03457 643 643 to report the location of damage to the electricity network.
"Updated information will be provided regularly and NIE Networks has asked that customers listen to their radios, visit our website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates.”
The Met Office said gusts of 91mph hit Killowen in County Down.
There are also reports of hundreds of fallen trees across the province.
The Foyle Bridge in Londonderry is closed due to the adverse weather conditions.
A PSNI statement said: "Motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution in adverse weather conditions.
"Police are advising motorists to stay in their vehicles.''
Meanwhile the railway line is closed at Moira and on the Bangor to Belfast line due to fallen debris.
There are also speed restrictions in place across the rest of Translink lines until further notice.
Bus routes are also subject to review.
The amber warning will remain in place until 18:00 this evening. (Wednesday)
You can see a live feed of the Storm on our Facebook page.
Emergency numbers
You should note the following numbers in case of emergency:
Emergency services – 999 or 112
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks – 03457 643 643
NI Gas Emergency Service – 0800 002 001
Northern Ireland Water Waterline – 03457 440 088
Flooding Incident Line – 0300 2000 100
Housing Executive – 03448 920 901
Report a fallen tree or blocked road - 0300 200 789
All road users are asked to pay attention to any road signs and temporary arrangements put in place during severe weather. Longer journey times or cancellations are possible as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected, with the chance that some roads and bridges could close.
High-sided vehicles are most affected by windy weather, but strong gusts can also blow a car, cyclist, motorcyclist or horse rider off course. This can happen on open stretches of road exposed to strong cross winds, or when passing bridges or gaps in the hedges.
In very windy weather a vehicle may be affected by turbulence created by large vehicles. Motorcyclists are particularly affected, so keep well back from them when they are overtaking a high-sided vehicle.
Motorists are also advised to drive with care due to possible wind-blown debris.