Storm Éowyn: NIE warns some buildings could be without power for 10 days after high winds cause huge damage

The PSNI has advised road users that the Letterkenny Road in Derry/ Londonderry has closed in both directions due to a fallen tree.
“Please seek an alternative route for your journey.”

By Abdullah Sabri

An SDLP councillor who runs a community food hub in west Belfast has spoken to the Belfast Telegraph about the damage done to the charity’s building, after they continued to offer the venue as a safe space for people to attend during the storm.
Paul Doherty runs Foodstock on the Andersonstown Road and hailed the “community spirit” on show today among his staff and the wider public.
His sign also got blown down today but was still inviting in people hit by the storm to offer support as well as doing house visits.
“Many people found themselves with so much difficulty today so we’re glad we were there and able to support.
“We did have some kind of difficult conversations today with parents and families who were struggling and had to go out and brave the storm to come and get support. And equally, we were very lucky to have some really dedicated and committed volunteers who were at hand.
“We recognised the fact that there were going to be people struggling here today and we thought of the dynamic of families having difficulty with no shops open and having children off school who weren’t getting dinners.
“We recognize as well that there are so many elderly and very vulnerable people in the community that needed that helping hand.
“We did house visits throughout the course of the day, and there’s obviously a risk associated with that, but our team of volunteers are people who work all year round.
“They helped in so many different ways in terms of providing some reassurance and support and guidance for people who were trying to navigate issues around being impacted by the storm today be it power outages, charging up their phones, helping them contact family and friends and so on.
“So right across the board there was a real sense of community spirit while people were trying to kind of navigate the storm.
“I think it’s reassuring for people to know that in moments of despair, there is a sense of community with people pulling together for one another. 
“That’s definitely a positive thing to highlight today through all the madness that we’ve seen unfold with the storm.”

Significant damage done to the roof of Bangor’s Aurora Leisure Centre has been described by the local mayor as “sad to see”.
Images from the leisure centre show piles of debris scattered around the ground.
The council’s mayor Alistair Cathcart said: “It is sad to see that Bangor Aurora has sustained damage to the roof due to Storm Eowyn. Thankfully following the Red Warning period directives, the building was closed when the damage occurred.
“No formal assessment of the building will be conducted until it is safe for staff and contractors to do so it is unclear at this stage the extend of the damage or any impact that will have on the opening of the centre. The public will be advised as soon as possible.
“It is important to note that whilst damage to the roof occurred during a previous storm in 2021, this is a different section of the roof and previous repairs appear to have held.
“The Council are urging the public to stay away from the area and refrain from taking photographs or videos for their own safety.”

In an update this evening, Belfast International Airport confirmed they would be resuming a “limited operation” for the rest of the evening.
A spokesperson said: “Having had ongoing engagement with our airlines, some intend to operate a limited number of flights. 
“Passengers should check with their airline directly as to the status of their flight and we would urge them to follow the guidelines as set out by the PSNI and NI Direct.
“Like many others across Northern Ireland, we have experienced some power shortages and technical issues this evening, and we will be operating on reduced power. As we begin to rebuild the operation, we have teams working to clean up the airport site following the impact of the storm earlier today.  
“Due to the ongoing travel challenges, we have a reduced number of staff on site today to facilitate those airlines who have decided to fly and those passengers who have decided to travel this evening.
“This is an evolving and fast-moving situation; we are preparing for full service to be in place from tomorrow, however, we would ask that all passengers check with their airlines ahead of travelling to the airport. 
“Those who choose to travel are reminded to arrive at the airport two hours before their airlines scheduled departure time.”

Northern Ireland Electricity have confirmed some homes in Northern Ireland could be without power for up to 10 days.
NIE said they have also requested additional support from other parts of the UK as the work begins on restoring power.
NIE confirmed there are currently around 250,000 customers without power.

“Thanks for bearing with us, and we hope everyone has stayed safe during Storm Éowyn.

“We’re happy to share that a majority of our SPAR stores have reopened now that the Red Alert weather warning has ended.

“Some stores remain closed while we complete minor repairs. We advise you check your local store social media accounts for the most up to date information.”

Stormont’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill has paid tribute to the emergency services and frontline staff involving in responding to the storm.
Ms O’Neill described those who responded to the storm as “the backbone of our response”.
“From caring for the vulnerable in hospitals, homes, and communities, to working tirelessly in treacherous conditions to restore power, unblock roads, and protect lives, your ongoing efforts are vital.
“You are the backbone of our response, and on behalf of everyone across our society, I want to extend my deepest gratitude for everything you are doing during this very difficult time.
“This is an extremely rare and challenging situation, and I want to assure you all that the Executive and our frontline services are continuing to do everything possible to ensure the safety of our communities.
“We have now moved to an amber warning, and I encourage everyone to continue exercising caution and following official advice.”

The Department for Infrastructure confirmed their staff dealt with more than 1,800 obstructions on the road network across Northern Ireland since midnight as a result of the storm.
They confirmed since midnight there were more than 1,827 obstructions on the road network involving trees and debris reported to the department and these included 873 on motorways other roads.

 “There are no words that can properly describe the debt of gratitude we owe to emergency services and the entire health and social care workforce.

“While we have been at home and following advice to stay safe, they have been dealing with call-outs and caring for people in hospitals, other facilities, and in the community. My heartfelt thanks goes to each and every one of them.

“Good contingency planning by our Health and Social Care Trusts and our Primary and Community care partners, alongside excellent multi-agency working, has enabled the health system to rise to the challenge presented by the severe storm.

“Some parts of hospitals and other facilities have had to rely on generators and it has been necessary to clear fallen trees and debris to enable staff to get into healthcare sites. Right across the HSC, teams are working at pace to ensure that patients and service users receive the care they need.

“I also want to thank the community for following the public safety advice during Storm Éowyn. The red alert posed a significant challenge to emergency services and to our society. Public cooperation is absolutely vital and very much appreciated.

“I would also like to reassure people whose scheduled appointments and planned procedures have been postponed that Trust staff are working hard to reschedule as soon as possible. And I would ask the public to be patient as some services may continue to experience some disruption over the next few days.”

Naomi Long said: “My sincere thanks go to all those who have put themselves at risk to ensure others are safe. The advice today was to stay home and stay safe if possible and yet staff and front-line workers across the Justice system including the NI Prison Service and the PSNI as response lead, continued to battle the elements to ensure the safety of others. 

“I commend the PSNI for their leadership and coordination of the response to Storm Éowyn and praise all staff whose jobs cannot be done from home including those from the NI Prison service.

“There have been many challenges as a result of the storm, and it will take some days to establish the true impact on our estates.  An assessment of all our buildings will now be carried out and it is anticipated that normal service may resume from Monday, including the reopening of courts.”

During a media briefing the PSNI are holding this evening after the worst of Storm Eowyn, Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck confirmed police had dealt with 2,000 calls throughout the day from members of the public. They also confirmed this represents 50% more calls than they would normally deal with on a typical Friday.

Portrush Yacht Club has revealed Storm Eowyn has left the bar area of the venue “full of both glass and water”. They also confirmed a charity swim in aid of Portrush RNLI which was scheduled for tomorrow has also been cancelled.
In a post they said: “PYC has taken the difficult decision to postpone tomorrow’s PYC’s Skerries Swimmers SOS Swim.
“Unfortunately, the Bay Bar area of Portrush Yacht Club is full of both glass and water. We are continuing to work hard to secure this area and will then assess any further damage.
“The stormy conditions are also likely to have caused damage to the Harbour area and pontoon as well. We’ll aim to reschedule where possible.”

Video footage has emerged of a satellite dish smashing the window of an apartment in Derry. 
The incident happened at the apartment building off Duke Street as extremely strong winds blew up the River Foyle. 

The PSNI have condemned a motorist caught driving on the M1 at 97mph during the storm.
They said the driver was given three penalty points and a £65 fine.
“While storm Éowyn continues to blow gusts of over 100 mph, one driver seemed to be trying to outrun the wind and was detected on the M1 at 97 mph by officers from Mahon Road station.
“Following our earlier posts highlighting the dangers across the roads today with fallen trees, to drive at this speed is totally unacceptable.
“The driver was issued with 3 penalty points and a £65 fine for their actions.”

Translink have confirmed Metro and Glider services in Belfast will recommence from 5pm today.

 They have also confirmed buses from Belfast to Dublin including Dublin airport and Belfast International Airport and Belfast City Airport, will all also be restored from 5pm.

Translink’s Director of Service Operations, Ian Campbell, said: “Following what has been an exceptional storm, there has been significant damage to the railway network including fallen trees and debris, as well as impacts to level crossings, signalling and other railway infrastructure.

“Specialist teams are now carrying out an assessment of the railway and the removal of fallen trees and debris; and repairs are underway to ensure the gradual safe return of rail services over the weekend.

“Ulsterbus and Foyle Metro services are expected to return on Saturday, although they may be subject to some disruption and diversions due to road closures.”

In a post on X Emma Little Pengelly thanked frontline, emergency and essential workers.
“Risking their own safety during Storm Éowyn to work to support and protect others,” the post read. 
“Thank you.” 

After becoming stranded in a BBC lift earlier in the day, the presenter shared a video on X confirming she had been “rescued”.
“I’m out, I’m free, I’m never getting into that lift again,” she says in the video. 
Ms Hamilton, who while trapped in the lift had been enjoying a diet coke, joked that she had expected ‘diet Coke man’ to come to her rescue. 
This was a reference to an advert from 2007, which sees a group of women deliberately get trapped in an lift in order to be rescued by an attractive technician. 
Ms Hamilton thanked Stephen, the man who came to her rescue, calling him her “hero”.