Electricity restored across Northern Ireland after Storm Boelo

Some homes and businesses in the Republic of Ireland remain without power

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published26 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Electricity has been restored to all properties across Northern Ireland after Storm Boelo, Northern Ireland Electricity Networks has said, but some homes and businesses in the Republic of Ireland remain without power.

The storm brought gusts of almost 80mph (129km/h) to some areas over the weekend, causing flights and ferries to be cancelled. Around 40 flights were cancelled at Belfast International Airport and about 30 at Dublin Airport. About 12,500 properties were without power in Northern Ireland at the peak, NIE said.

In the Republic of Ireland, an ESB spokesperson said a number of homes, farms and businesses still had no electricity on Monday morning, with crews working to restore supply. About 5,000 properties were without power on Sunday evening.

The Department for Infrastructure reported around 470 incidents including fallen trees and flooding across Northern Ireland. The Foyle Bridge was closed on Saturday due to high winds but reopened on Sunday evening. SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said the prolonged closure caused major traffic congestion and showed the city needed a third bridge. "The infrastructural capacity of Derry needs increased; I don't think two vehicular bridges for a city of this size and a population of this city is enough," he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today.

A Translink spokesperson said some bus services were diverted over the weekend due to fallen debris and rail restrictions were in place. "Stormy conditions also increase 'leaf fall' at this time of year which can impact train services and our infrastructure crews will be deployed to clear any debris potentially blocking railway lines," they added.

A Met Office yellow warning for strong winds is in effect from 18:00 GMT Monday until 03:00 Tuesday along the Antrim and Down coasts, with gusts up to 50mph (80km/h) and up to 65mph (105km/h) on exposed coasts. A second warning for the north coast of Antrim and Londonderry runs from 03:00 Tuesday until 21:00 Tuesday, with similar gusts expected.

Improved weather conditions are expected on Wednesday with calmer and sunnier conditions forecast.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

Almost all power customers in Northern Ireland lost electricity at some point; full restoration shows the resilience of the grid.
Storm Boelo caused major transport disruption, with flight and ferry cancellations affecting travel across the island.
The debate over a third bridge in Derry highlights long-term infrastructure needs exposed by extreme weather.

Background

Storm Boelo hit the island of Ireland over the weekend of 25–26 October, bringing gusts of almost 80mph in some areas. The storm led to power outages for about 12,500 properties in Northern Ireland and about 5,000 in the Republic of Ireland. Belfast International Airport and Dublin Airport each saw dozens of flight cancellations. A second storm system is expected to bring further strong winds to northern coastal areas early this week.

Key Perspectives

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan: said the closure of the Foyle Bridge showed Derry's need for a third vehicular bridge to improve traffic capacity. Translink spokesperson: said that stormy conditions increase leaf fall, which can impact train services, and that crews will clear debris from railway lines.

What to Watch

A Met Office yellow warning for strong winds in Northern Ireland lasts until early Tuesday; the impact on travel and power should be monitored.
ESB crews in the Republic of Ireland continue to restore power to homes, farms and businesses without electricity.
The debate over a third bridge in Derry may gain political attention as the city's infrastructure is tested by future storms.

Sources

Electricity restored to all of NI after Storm Boelo · BBC Northern Ireland

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11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

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SupportedElectricity has been restored to all properties across Northern Ireland after Storm Boelo, NIE said.BBC Northern Ireland: “Electricity has been restored to all properties across Northern Ireland after Storm Boelo, Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIE) has said.”
SupportedSome homes and businesses in the Republic of Ireland remain without power.BBC Northern Ireland: “Meanwhile in the Republic of Ireland, an ESB spokesperson said there are “a number of homes, farms and businesses still without electricity” on Monday morning”
Partly supportedDurkan said: “The infrastructural capacity of Derry needs increased; I don't think two vehicular bridges for a city of this size and a population of this city is enough.”BBC Northern Ireland: ““The infrastructural capacity of Derry needs increased; I don’t think two vehicular bridges for a city of this side and a population of this city is enough.””
Partly supportedAbout 5,000 properties in the Republic of Ireland were without power on Sunday evening.BBC Northern Ireland: “About 5,000 homes, farms and businesses were still without electricity on Sunday evening in the Republic of Ireland.”
SupportedStorm Boelo brought gusts of almost 80mph (129km/h) to some areas over the weekend.BBC Northern Ireland: “At the weekend, the storm saw gusts of wind reach almost 80mph in some areas”
SupportedAround 40 flights at Belfast International Airport and about 30 at Dublin Airport were cancelled.BBC Northern Ireland: “Flights were cancelled at airports across the island of Ireland at the weekend including about 40 flights at Belfast International Airport and about 30 at Dublin Airport.”
SupportedAbout 12,500 properties in Northern Ireland were without power at the peak.BBC Northern Ireland: “NIE said around 12,500 properties were without power at one stage after Storm Boelo.”
SupportedThe Foyle Bridge was closed on Saturday due to high winds and reopened on Sunday evening.BBC Northern Ireland: “The Foyle Bridge was closed on Saturday due to high winds but reopened again on Sunday evening.”
Partly supportedA Translink spokesperson said some bus services were diverted over the weekend and rail restrictions were in place.BBC Northern Ireland: “A spokesperson for Translink said that some bus services were diverted over the weekend due to fallen debris and rail restrictions were put in place in affected areas.”
Partly supportedA second wind warning has similar gusts expected to the first warning.BBC Northern Ireland: “The Met Office is expecting gusts up to 50mph (80km/h) in Monday's warning zone, and up to 65mph (105km/h) on exposed coastal areas. Gusts up to 60mph (105km/h) are again expected in Tuesday's warning, with stronger winds for more exposed coastal areas.”
SupportedImproved weather conditions are expected on Wednesday, with calmer and sunnier conditions forecast.BBC Northern Ireland: “Much improved weather conditions are expected on Wednesday with calmer and sunnier weather in the forecast.”