An MLA has said that “no one should be left without power for 10 days”, as around 74,000 people were still without electricity last night amid with the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.
With many properties having suffered damage, householders have also been warned to beware of unscrupulous traders who may seek to take advantage of them.
Some schools are expected to resort to remote learning on Monday, after buildings were damaged by the storm and transport disruption is expected for both staff and pupils.
Watch: NI Electricity helicopter footage show extensive damage to electricity in the Fivemiletown area
Additional engineers have been brought across the Irish Sea from Great Britain to help Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Networks in a bid to restore power to swathes of homes.
Some 52 engineers from England were scheduled to arrive on Saturday, with 30 to be utilised by NIE and 22 to assist ESB Networks in the Irish Republic, and further resources to follow.
Storm Éowyn has damaged more than 100 schools and caused over 2,300 reported obstructions on the road network, with 70 trees having to be cleared on Friday alone just to reopen the M2.
SDLP opposition leader Matthew O’Toole said: “Nobody should be left without power for ten days, this will have an incredibly disruptive influence on the lives of those affected who will be forced to travel elsewhere for basic necessities like showering, cooking and other things many of us often take for granted.
“I commend NIE [Northern Ireland Electricity] staff and other frontline workers for their efforts over the past few days, it’s thanks to their tireless work that so many homes and businesses had electricity restored as quickly as possible. However, it’s clear that more staff are needed to help them get everyone connected and the Executive should be focusing all of their attention on what they can do to assist in the necessary repairs.”
Clear up by contractors from Clive Richardson Ltd begins on Cyprus Avenue in east Belfast (Credit: Jonathan Porter/PressEye)
The Trading Standards Service has cautioned residents to be wary of traders seeking to take advantage of the damage caused by the storm.
Damien Doherty, Trading Standards Chief Inspector, said: “Rogue traders are opportunists and always too quick to exploit people’s unfortunate circumstances.
“Following the severe damage caused by Storm Éowyn, they are likely to use this as the ideal time to target consumers who may require urgent repairs to be carried out on their properties.”
Bob McCallion is a member of an organisation calling for the protection of Co Antrim’s famous Dark Hedges, a national landmark and popular filming location.
“The storms are a natural occurrence and the trees come down,” he said.
“It’s not the intensity of the storm, it is the direction of the wind. There is also an added factor of neglect in the tree tunnel. Up until recently, [the Department for Infrastructure] didn’t really pay much attention to them.
“There was no preventive maintenance done on them until recently, but it’s a bit too late. Two of the trees that came down on Saturday, one of them was already condemned to be felled by a Road Service survey in 2022, but that was overruled.
He added: “There’s not enough being done to protect [the trees]. From what I can observe, those in charge of decisions are discussing long-term solutions with the Road Service.
“But in the meantime, while that’s taking place, the place is going to wrack and ruin down there.”
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.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly visited NIE Networks in Craigavon on Saturday afternoon to thank workers.
Ms O’Neill described the storm and its impact as “unprecedented on every level”.
“People will continue to work tirelessly to ensure people are reconnected as quickly as possible,” she said.
“It is very difficult given the sheer volume of damage that has been caused but we’re assured that all the work that can be done is being done and we want to thank the staff for all of their efforts,” she said.
Ms Little-Pengelly welcomed the additional engineers and said they will be emphasising the need for help and support for Northern Ireland in meetings with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and political leaders across the UK.
A Met Office spokesperson said: “Winds are expected to become generally lighter over the coming days, with a mixture of sunshine and showers on Monday and Tuesday. The showers could be heavy at times on Monday with a small risk of thunder.
“Dry and largely sunny weather is forecast for Wednesday and Thursday with overnight frosts and fog patches.”
Clear up by contractors from Clive Richardson Ltd begins on Cyprus Avenue in east Belfast (Credit: Jonathan Porter/PressEye)
Derek Hynes, managing director of NIE Networks, said they believe it will take 10 days to completely restore power across Northern Ireland.
“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 said.
“Assessments carried out on the network yesterday have now enabled us to put restoration details on our website. Please check Power Check on our website (nienetworks.co.uk) for an initial estimate of when we will get power back for your location. We will work to refine these dates and times further as we go through the next few days.
“From what we are seeing so far, we believe that it will be around 10 days by the time we complete the repairs needed to get power back to everyone.
He added: “Please bear with us as we work through the yellow weather warning over the course of today. We will continue to work with the Strategic and Tactical Co-ordination groups so that we can avail of as much help as possible from other agencies.”