Football off, trains affected and roads closed as Storm Betty brings …
Glentoran v Crusaders match off after pitch inspection, as PSNI issues warning to drivers
Police said heavy rain had led disruption on many roads overnight – and urged drivers to be extremely careful.
Trafficwatch NI also said trees had been brought down in several areas.
Translink announced some services had been impacted by the “exceptional weather”. The 12.21pm service between Dublin Connolly station and Belfast’s Lanyon place was cancelled. An earlier service was terminated at Portadown.
Other rail services were disrupted or delayed.
The Glentoran v Crusaders Irish League match was called off this morning after a pitch inspection. Heavy rain affected the surface at the Oval in east Belfast. Four other Sports Direct Premiership matches are proceeding.
Betty is the second storm named in August, following Storm Antoni which occurred earlier this month.
A Met Office wind warning for counties Down and Antrim came into force from 6pm on Friday and will remain until midday on Saturday.
A warning for rain was in place across Northern Ireland from 9pm on Friday until 6am on Saturday.
Katesbridge in Co Down had more than half a month's worth of rain in under 12 hours overnight, the BBC reported. The weather station there recorded 45.4mm between 7pm on Friday until 6am on Saturday. The average rainfall for the month of August there is 84mm.
The PSNI said on Saturday: “Police are continuing to appeal to road users to continue to exercise caution this morning in all areas of the country, as high winds and rain can make driving conditions difficult.
“There are also reports of trees down on a number of roads.
“Motorists should continue to proceed carefully and at lower speeds, bearing in mind the impact of this weather on stopping distances and braking. Please also heed any road closure signage.”
Overnight, the PSNI said a number of roads were flooded or impassable, including the Upper Knockbreda Road, Castlereagh Road and Loughview Road areas.
The M1 Motorway was closed to traffic at Lisburn due to a fallen tree but has since reopened.
Trafficwatch NI said many roads are affected by flood water this morning.
“We still have a number of trees down across the province as the wind picks up again. Please drive with care and be prepared to stop until we can attend,” it said.
Met Office chief meteorologist Jason Kelly said the storm had been expected to have the most impact in Ireland and many reported a restless night as homes were battered by wind and rain.
The Irish Government's national weather emergency team warned of the potential for further floods amid strong winds and rain across the Republic of Ireland.
Thousands of homes across parts of counties Dublin, Meath, Carlow and Wicklow were left without power.
RTE reported a taxi driver escaped injury in Templeogue in south Dubin when a tree crashed on to his car as he was driving.
In Co Waterford, a boat broke free from its berth and crashed into a harbour in Dungarvan.
Some matches and outdoor events were cancelled, and emergency crews in the south of the country cleared debris including fallen trees.
Meanwhile, a warning for strong winds also remains in place in western parts of England and Wales.
A weather warning for rain is also in place until noon on Saturday for Central Scotland, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, south-west Scotland, Lothian Borders and Strathclyde.
The highest rainfall totals are expected over east-facing high ground in the Angus Hills and the Grampian Mountains where between 40-60mm could accumulate.
Strong and gusty south-easterly winds will accompany the rain, with gusts perhaps as high as 40mph around some exposed coasts and hills in the east.