Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn has promised every possible support from the UK Government to the effort to repair damage done by Storm Éowyn.
A massive clean-up operation and battle to restore power and water to homes across Northern Ireland is continuing, amid hopes weather conditions will ease on Sunday evening.
A yellow alert for strong winds expired at 7pm and, at this stage, there are no further weather warnings for the region in the days ahead.
Northern Ireland has been buffeted since Friday by winds in excess of 100mph, with the previous red alert unprecedented.
Watch: NI Electricity helicopter footage show extensive damage to electricity in the Fivemiletown area
NI Water says it is facing significant challenges, including the loss of electrical power at pumping stations, damage to equipment, and loss of remote connectivity to sites.
The supplier says teams have been working round the clock to restore water to homes.
“Our priority is the restoration of water supplies for all customers and we will continue to carry out repairs and deploy generators until all assets are operational,” a statement said.
“We’ve also been tankering water into some locations in Co Tyrone to restore supplies. Bottled Water is available for customers to collect at Omagh Leisure Centre, Enniskillen Lakeland Forum, and Dungiven Sports Centre.
“Thank you for your understanding and please be assured we are doing everything possible to restore water supplies as quickly as possible.”
NIE Networks says it has restored power to 210,000 properties, although 75,000 remain without electricity and are facing the prospect that it could yet take days for repairs to be completed.
More than 1,000 electricity workers have been deployed.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly visited NIE Networks in Craigavon to hear about the efforts being made to restore power to homes and businesses. Photo: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.
While Sunday has not seen winds reach the same peaks, gusts of up to 60mph were forecast.
The NI Secretary said ministers from a number of UK Government departments, led by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden, were working to assist NI Executive ministers.
It comes after he joined a call on Saturday afternoon between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.
The PM paid tribute to the efforts of all those involved in the response to the storm and their tireless work in keeping people safe.
Speaking on Sunday afternoon, Mr Benn said the scale of the damage was “deeply concerning” and also expressed his gratitude to those working on the relief effort.
“I am pleased that under mutual aid arrangements, specialist engineers from England are already in Northern Ireland to assist with the urgent effort to restore power to communities and more are on their way,” Mr Benn said.
“We are also examining how we can assist with other requests made by the Executive and Northern Ireland Electricity for equipment and personnel.
“I will continue to work closely with Cabinet colleagues and Northern Ireland Executive ministers in the days ahead to make sure we are doing all that we can to support those affected.”
Over 100 schools across Northern Ireland have suffered damage from Storm Éowyn.
Education Minister Paul Givan said in some cases the problems include significant structural damage.
He has warned of an impact on how some schools operate on Monday.
“While every effort continues to be made over this weekend to ensure that impacted schools can reopen as soon as practicably possible, it is likely that some schools may need to move to remote learning on Monday,” Mr Givan said.
The storm also brought tragedy, with a young man killed in Co Donegal. Kacper Dudek (20), died after a tree fell on his car in Raphoe. He was a past pupil of Holy Cross College in Strabane, Co Tyrone.
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NI Secretary of State promises ‘every possible support’
Mr Benn said ministers from a number of UK Government departments, led by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden, were working to assist NI Executive ministers.
It comes after he joined a call on Saturday afternoon between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.
The PM paid tribute to the efforts of all those involved in the response to the storm and their tireless work in keeping people safe.
Speaking on Sunday afternoon, the Secretary of State said the scale of the damage was “deeply concerning” and also expressed his gratitude to those working on the relief effort.
“I am pleased that under mutual aid arrangements, specialist engineers from England are already in Northern Ireland to assist with the urgent effort to restore power to communities and more are on their way,” Mr Benn said.
“We are also examining how we can assist with other requests made by the Executive and Northern Ireland Electricity for equipment and personnel.
“I will continue to work closely with Cabinet colleagues and Northern Ireland Executive ministers in the days ahead to make sure we are doing all that we can to support those affected.”
NI Water tankering supplies into parts of NI
NI Water says it has been facing significant issues including the loss of electrical power at pumping stations, damage to equipment, and loss of remote connectivity to sites.
The supplier says teams have been working round the clock to restore water to homes.
“Our priority is the restoration of water supplies for all customers and we will continue to carry out repairs and deploy generators until all assets are operational,” a statement said.
“We’ve also been tankering water into some locations in Co Tyrone to restore supplies. Bottled Water is available for customers to collect at Omagh Leisure Centre, Enniskillen Lakeland Forum, and Dungiven Sports Centre.
“Thank you for your understanding and please be assured we are doing everything possible to restore water supplies as quickly as possible.”
Safety warning and advice over generators and heating appliances
Experts warn that using such items indoors can cause carbon monoxide levels to rise dangerously high, resulting in CO poisoning.
“Only equipment designed to be used indoors should be brought inside the home,” they say. “Where any fuel burning equipment is used indoors there must be good ventilation and in conjunction with carbon monoxide alarm. Always follow the manufacturers guidance.”
- open doors and windows for ventilation and go outside into the fresh air
- go to your GP or nearest A&E department
- if its urgent, call 999 for an ambulance; and
- call the relevant emergency advice line: Gas Emergency Service (24 hours) 0800 002 001, Oil (OFTEC) 0845 65 85 080
Newry road closure due to overhanging tree
NI Electricity helicopter footage show extensive damage
75,000 still without power
Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly visit NIE Networks
Yellow wind warning in place
The Met Office is warning that strong winds could disrupt transport and infrastructure, with delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport likely. It adds that some coastal areas may be affected by spray or large waves, and some short term loss of power and other services is possible.
101,000 still without electricity
“We are still visiting locations where damage has been caused and are working on the faults that will get power back to the highest possible numbers of homes and businesses,” he added.
Starmer pledges support
Government ‘ready to support NI’
It was chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden along with the deputy Prime Minister Angela Raynor, the Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland and Scotland, ministers from across government, the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland and the First Minister of Scotland.
A government spokesperson said: “Ministers discussed the ongoing response to Storm Éowyn, particularly the urgent work underway to reconnect homes which have lost power. To support recovery, engineers have been dispatched to Northern Ireland and Scotland, and Ministers thanked all front-line workers for their efforts to keep communities safe.
“We continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to provide further support, working closely with the Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive.”
Road closed
Electricity workers from across Europe on way
Homeless man avoids jail over storm shelter break-in
Givan: Some schools may revert to remote learning
More than 100 schools are also still without power.
It could mean some are unable to open fully on Monday.
“While every effort continues to be made over this weekend to ensure that impacted schools can reopen as soon as practicably possible, it is likely that some schools may need to move to remote learning on Monday,” Mr Givan said.
EA’s School Transport Service plans to operate as normal on Monday, however there may be some disruption or delays to routes as a result of damage to roads
Speaking directly to school principals, Mr Givan continued: “I would ask schools to report critical repairs over this weekend through EA’s Maintenance Service’s Out of Hours Helpline on 028 3751 2345. NIE have also strongly advised not to approach any electricity equipment and to be extra careful around fallen trees and when assessing damage.
“If a decision has been taken to close your school building due to the impact of the storm, please continue to provide learning from home for the children and young people who are unable to attend school on Monday.”
Power outages
DFM welcomes extra help
70 trees cleared from M2 – O’Dowd
There were over 2,300 reported obstructions on the road network during the storm, with hazards remaining on many roads across Northern Ireland, he said.
Mr O’Dowd said the work involved in opening just one road can take many hours – for example, 70 trees had to be cleared yesterday to re-open the M2.
“Our teams have also been assisting the health services to clear debris on routes into hospital sites as well as working with NIE Networks and NI Water to gain access to their critical infrastructure,” he said.
“The clear up has been made more challenging with overnight snow and frost in many areas. Despite this, a gritting service was delivered on the main strategic road network and, again, I thank those who go out to do this work in the freezing weather.”
52 engineers from England to help with power restoration efforts
Translink: ‘Litany of damage across network’
The first passenger trains will run on the Lisburn, cross border and Bangor lines phasing in during the course of the afternoon.
Clearance work is continuing on the Larne Line and Londonderry Line and these will reopen as soon as safe to do so.
John Glass from Translink explained: “The severity of this storm is unprecedented with a litany of infrastructural damage across the network. We have mobilised our largest ever response to get services up and running again safely for customers.
“More than 100 instances of debris and blockages obscuring the line right across the network – which far exceeds that of previous storms – have had to be managed.
“This has included around 60 trees uprooted, numerous level crossing barriers damaged and multiple issues with structures and infrastructure along the line needing repair to date.”
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Storm Eowyn arrives in Northern Ireland