Thousands of homes left without electricity after gale force winds in the west and north-west yesterday morning were expected to have supply restored by last night. The strongest gusts of up to 80 m.p.h. were recorded around lunchtime.
Northern Ireland Electricity reported that at the height of the gales, more than 6,000 homes were disconnected in Lisburn and Cullybackey, Co Antrim; Dungannon and Omagh, Co Tyrone; parts of Co Fermanagh; Maghera, Co Derry and Craigavon, Co Armagh.
An ESB spokeswoman said that some 3,500 homes were cut off in the west and north, and that crews were working flat out to ensure everyone was reconnected.
The worst affected area was west and north Donegal, where some 1,000 homes were without electricity. Two crews travelled to Arranmore Island yesterday to restore supply to 400 homes.
Other areas badly affected were north Mayo, Longford and Cavan.
Met Éireann said winds reached 98 m.p.h. at Malin Head at 10 a.m.
Ms Joan Blackburn said the winds were the result of "normal winter storms" which generally occur about two or three times a year. It will remain windy over the coming days with a danger of further very strong winds on Thursday and Friday. The storm, which was centred over Scotland last night, passed about 200 miles from the Donegal coast.
The ESB said it had not been necessary to put an emergency plan in place. "There wasn't any need to bring in extra crews from outside areas as it was not a major storm," the spokeswoman said.
Fishing boats along the coast remained in harbour and there were also reports of lake fishermen having to take shelter. On Lough Gill, in Co Sligo, a fisherman had to spend the night on a small island until the winds eased.
Airports in the north-west were also affected. All flights to and from Carrickfinn airport in north Donegal were cancelled and at Sligo Airport the morning flight was cancelled but the afternoon flight operated as normal.
Some ferry services on the Irish Sea operated by Seacat and Stena Line were suspended and the Foyle Bridge near Derry was closed for a time yesterday morning. A flight from City Of Derry Airport to Manchester was cancelled.
The Shore Road in Co Antrim was blocked for a time by a fallen power cable. Strong winds and high tides forced the closure of some roads on the Ards Peninsula in Co Down.
In Ballymena, Co Antrim, children had to run for safety from a playgroup when the roof was blown off. No one was injured.