DERRY is bracing itself after weather forecasters warned of incoming snow as Storm Gertrude continues to rumble across the county.
Heavy winds battered Derry overnight felling trees and cutting power to homes as the storm swept in at pace from the Atlantic.
In Maghera, a tree was uproot and smashed into a passing car on the Mullagh Road.
The male driver cheated serious injury, escaping with minor cuts and bruises.
A tree also fell on the Old Letterkenny Road in Derry as gusting winds reached speeds at well over 70 miles per hour in the county.
The Foyle Bridge had been closed for a time but has now been reopened to all vehicles.
A 30 mph speed limit remains in place.
Across the North of Ireland around 13,000 electricity customers lost supply after gales brought down trees and damaged a number of power lines.
NIE Networks has restored supply to 11,000 customers but about 2,000 remain without power.
NIE Networks emergency crews and engineers are working to restore power to the remaining customers and the firm has opened its main incident centre in Craigavon, County Armagh, to co-ordinate its response.
The firm’s communications manager, Julia Carson, said: “We have been in regular contact with the Met Office and had mobilised NIE Networks emergency crews, engineers and call handlers in preparation for any damage the severe weather may cause.
And in a message to the public, she said: “Put safety first and if you do see any trees down across power lines or broken electricity poles, keep away and call NIE Networks immediately.”
Electricity customers who have lost supply must call NIE Networks’ customer helpline on 03457 643 643 or report the fault online using their website: nienetworks.co.uk