Around 20 schools and a number of roads remain closed in Northern Ireland in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.
Stormont’s Education Minister Paul Givan said the Education Authority is proactively engaging with principals to ensure contingency arrangements are in place to support continuity of learning.
It comes after Stormont’s Communities Minister confirmed there will be an additional £1m in funding to help individuals and communities impacted by the storm.
Nearly 200 electricity engineers have been deployed to NI from other parts of UK as tens of thousands of homes remain without power.
Residents in areas such as Lisburn have been without electricity for more than four days with the community rallying together to bring aid to the elderly and vulnerable.
Watch: First Minister and Deputy First Minister urging NIE to make ‘goodwill payments’ following Storm Éowyn
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Key updates
Nearly 200 electricity engineers deployed to NI from other parts of UK
43,000 still without power
Stormont mi nister pledges additional £1m support
Tuesday’s school closures
Road closures in place on Tuesday morning
Lisburn community rallies round to support elderly and vulnerable cut off by Storm Eowyn
A Northern Ireland community which has been without electricity for more than four days has rallied together to bring aid to elderly and vulnerable residents.
Most schools reopened following Storm Éowyn disruption
The majority of schools that were forced to close across NI as a result of Storm Éowyn have now reopened.
Around 20 schools are currently closed compared to 60 on Monday.
Education Minister Paul Givan said there has been significant efforts to ensure schools have been able to open since the weekend.
“Storm Éowyn brought widespread disruption to schools across Northern Ireland and the Education Authority has been working closely with NIE Networks and other partners to make repairs and get electricity reconnected,” he said.
“The Education Authority’s Maintenance Helpline has received around 1000 calls for assistance from schools as result of the impact of the storm.
“Work continues apace, and while the number continues to fluctuate, the latest position is that some 20 schools are currently closed, down from 60 on Monday.
“The vast majority of these are due to ongoing power outages and we are meeting regularly with NIE to ensure they are prioritised for reconnection as soon as possible. However, this remains a changing situation, and we appreciate the range of challenges facing NIE colleagues.”
Mr Givan said the Education Authority is proactively engaging principals to ensure contingency arrangements are in place to support continuity of learning.
“When schools are closed supporting children’s learning at home can be a challenge. The Education and Training Inspectorate has published a guide to support parents and carers with their child’s learning. It includes a range of activities which do not require internet access for those homes which do not yet have electricity restored,” he added.
“As the situation is evolving, decisions are being taken by schools at a local level. We would therefore ask parents to stay in close contact with their school, as they will be communicating the latest position and advice via their usual channels.”
Storm Éowyn has wreaked havoc at places cared for by the National Trust, leaving a trail of damage to estates and gardens
Storm Éowyn has caused extensive damage to gardens and estates cared for by the National Trust across Northern Ireland, with thousands of trees toppled, the conservation charity says.
Hurricane force gales of up to 100mph and heavy rain battered the region on Friday and into the weekend, with many National Trust places remaining closed for a few days for the clean up operation and ensure visitor and staff safety.
Mount Stewart in County Down bore the full brunt of Éowyn where it’s estimated over 10,000 trees were flattened in hurricane force winds.
Winds of up to 90mph has left Rowallane Garden in Saintfield ‘almost unrecognisable’ with irreplaceable specimen trees lost forever, the charity said.
The storm also resulted in the widespread closure of properties, with some remaining closed as the full extent of the damage is assessed and clean up works get underway.
The conservation charity has appealed for donations to help repair damage caused and to plant new native trees to replace the thousands toppled by the storm
Hurricane force gales of up to 100mph and heavy rain battered the region on Friday and into the weekend, with many National Trust places remaining closed for a few days for the clean up operation and ensure visitor and staff safety.
Mount Stewart in County Down bore the full brunt of Éowyn where it’s estimated over 10,000 trees were flattened in hurricane force winds.
Winds of up to 90mph has left Rowallane Garden in Saintfield ‘almost unrecognisable’ with irreplaceable specimen trees lost forever, the charity said.
The storm also resulted in the widespread closure of properties, with some remaining closed as the full extent of the damage is assessed and clean up works get underway.
The conservation charity has appealed for donations to help repair damage caused and to plant new native trees to replace the thousands toppled by the storm
Gregor Fulton, Trees and Woodland Adviser for National Trust in Northern Ireland said: “Our ranger and garden teams have been busy assessing the aftermath of the storm, but it’s already clear we’ve lost a large quantity of trees, which is sad, as Northern Ireland is already one of the least wooded parts of Europe.
“Mount Stewart suffered devastating damage with thousands of trees down, and at Rowallane Garden, some of the areas are unrecognisable.
“Mount Stewart suffered devastating damage with thousands of trees down, and at Rowallane Garden, some of the areas are unrecognisable.
“Many of our trees have veteran qualities and important histories, and they connect us to the people who planted them, as well as playing a vital role in the ecosystems of our landscapes.
“At Castle Ward we have lost a beech tree over 200 years old, several from the historic lime tree walk, and an ancient Yew tree. Storm Éowyn reminds us that the world is changing and that we need to adapt the places we care for, to ensure that people and nature can thrive.”
“At Castle Ward we have lost a beech tree over 200 years old, several from the historic lime tree walk, and an ancient Yew tree. Storm Éowyn reminds us that the world is changing and that we need to adapt the places we care for, to ensure that people and nature can thrive.”
Mount Stewart in Co Down.National Trust
Mount Stewart in Co Down.National Trust
Rowallane Garden in Saintfield .National Trust
National Trust property in Mid Ulster.National Trust
NIE provide update on current power outages
NIE has confirmed their work to restore power across the country is continuing as they confirmed 37,000 people here remain without electricity.
In an updated statement, an NIE spokesperson said: “Our primary focus is to restore power to all affected customers across Northern Ireland.
“We now have over 1400 staff escalated which includes additional support from other agencies and jurisdictions, with more resource expected in the coming days.”
In an updated statement, an NIE spokesperson said: “Our primary focus is to restore power to all affected customers across Northern Ireland.
“We now have over 1400 staff escalated which includes additional support from other agencies and jurisdictions, with more resource expected in the coming days.”
Pressure mounts for ‘goodwill’ compensation payments
The head of the company that owns Northern Ireland’s electric grid has strongly suggested that customers without power could be in line for compensation – although restoring power is his top priority right now.
Tips for surviving a blackout
With power-disrupting storms set to become a more frequent part of our lives, it makes sense to prepare home backup systems to cope with the blackouts.
Nearly 200 electricity engineers deployed to NI from other parts of UK
Lawrence Slade, chief executive of Energy Networks Association, said: “As other network operators return to normal operations, additional staff and equipment are being freed up and sent from Scotland, England and Wales to Northern Ireland to support with the reconnection efforts there.
“This is in addition to more than 1,000 staff based locally at NIE Networks who have been working around the clock since the storm hit.
“Nearly 200 staff have been redeployed to Northern Ireland to date, in addition to helicopters, drones, generators and replacement parts from stockpiles in other parts of the UK. More people and equipment are expected to be sent over today and later this week.
“Everyone is working flat out to support and reconnect customers. This is a huge team effort from every network operator across the UK, Ireland and further afield.”
Was your home damaged in the storm?
Anyone whose property has been damaged by Storm Éowyn should take good photographs and engage the services of a loss assessor as they make insurance claims, a solicitor has advised.
43,000 still without power
NIE confirmed this morning that 43,000 customers in Northern Ireland still remain without electricity as a result of the storm. They said power has now been restored to 242,000 properties originally impacted.
DUP’s Gordon Lyons calls on NIE to ‘step up’ with compensation
The DUP’s Communities Minister has called on NIE and other utility companies to “step up” around compensation following the storm.
In the aftermath of the storm the discussion has now turned to the issue of compensation for those affected by power outages and out of pocket.
Speaking to BBC NI’s Good Morning Ulster, Gordon Lyons said even if the money isn’t coming immediately, NIE should confirm they plan to offer compensation.
“You have networks in the rest of the UK that are providing goodwill payments,” he said.
“I would like to see the same in Northern Ireland. A payment like this would go a long way in helping people. “Another way in which we can help people is giving them that comfort in knowing there is going to be that support for them.
“Even if they [NIE] cant get the money out straight away, to know that it is coming would be a benefit.
“I think we [Stormont] have helped as much as we can. Ultimately those companies and the network providers needs to step up as well.”
In the aftermath of the storm the discussion has now turned to the issue of compensation for those affected by power outages and out of pocket.
Speaking to BBC NI’s Good Morning Ulster, Gordon Lyons said even if the money isn’t coming immediately, NIE should confirm they plan to offer compensation.
“You have networks in the rest of the UK that are providing goodwill payments,” he said.
“I would like to see the same in Northern Ireland. A payment like this would go a long way in helping people. “Another way in which we can help people is giving them that comfort in knowing there is going to be that support for them.
“Even if they [NIE] cant get the money out straight away, to know that it is coming would be a benefit.
“I think we [Stormont] have helped as much as we can. Ultimately those companies and the network providers needs to step up as well.”
Stormont minister pledges additional £1m support
Stormont’s Communities Minister has confirmed there will be an additional £1m in funding to help individuals and communities impacted by Storm Éowyn.
The DUP’s Gordon Lyons confirmed the pot of money during a visit to a community assistance centre in Carryduff.
Mr Lyons said he had ring-fenced the funding for “outreach services”.
“The widened scheme will provide funding for community assistance centres, emergency supplies of hot meals, transport to and from centres and other services, and washing facilities,” he added.
“The scheme will continue to cover additional costs for staff assisting with the clean-up operation.
“I have been working closely with Ministerial colleagues to ensure a joined-up approach to delivering supports.
“I have also ensured that all necessary action has been taken across my department. This includes supports for those who have found themselves homeless and for those needing assistance.
“I would like to commend all of our partners including councils, NIHE, Libraries NI and community and voluntary groups and individuals who have worked selflessly to make sure help is place for people in hardship.”.”
The DUP’s Gordon Lyons confirmed the pot of money during a visit to a community assistance centre in Carryduff.
Mr Lyons said he had ring-fenced the funding for “outreach services”.
“The widened scheme will provide funding for community assistance centres, emergency supplies of hot meals, transport to and from centres and other services, and washing facilities,” he added.
“The scheme will continue to cover additional costs for staff assisting with the clean-up operation.
“I have been working closely with Ministerial colleagues to ensure a joined-up approach to delivering supports.
“I have also ensured that all necessary action has been taken across my department. This includes supports for those who have found themselves homeless and for those needing assistance.
“I would like to commend all of our partners including councils, NIHE, Libraries NI and community and voluntary groups and individuals who have worked selflessly to make sure help is place for people in hardship.”.”
Cost of Storm Éowyn ‘could reach £200m’
Tuesday’s school closures
While the vast majority of schools across Northern Ireland are open, there are some still closed due to the lingering impact of the storm – mostly down to a lack of electricity. Confirmed as closed on Tuesday are:
- Drumrane Primary School, Dungiven
- St Joseph’s Primary School Donagh
- Ampertaine Primary School, Maghera
- Carhill Integrated School, Coleraine
- Carrickmannon Primary School, Ballygowan
- Abercorn Primary School, Banbridge
- Killowen Primary School Rostrevor
- Killicomaine Junior High School, Portadown
Road closures in place on Tuesday morning
There are a significant number of roads still closed due to the impact of the storm – from fallen trees or electricity cables to unstable buildings, including the following:
- Ards Peninsula: The Mount Stewart Road between Portaferry Road and Carrowdore Road
- Saintfield: Windmill Road
- Downpatrick: Bishop’s Brae between Vianstown Road and Ballynoe Road.
- Portrush: Ramore Street closed due to unstable building.
- Carrickfergus: New Line
- Portadown: Ballyhannon Road,Drumnacanvy Road, Carbet Road, Moy Road, Thomas Street
- Lurgan: Cornakinnegar Road, Derrytrasna Road
- Gilford: Stramore Road
- Magheralin: New Forge Road
- Comber: Belfast Road, Killinchy Road
- Ballycastle: Carrickmore Road
- Ballymoney: Farren Road
Road closed due to fallen tree and electric cables
The Windmill Road, Saintfield, has been closed due a fallen tree and electricity cables.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “The road is likely to remain closed well into Tuesday morning, so please plan an alternative route for your journey.”
NIE engaged with ministers on compensation but primary focus is restoring power as 56,000 people still without electricity
Approximately 56,000 customers across Northern Ireland are still without electricity, with power now restored to 229,000 properties.
Derek Hynes, Managing Director of NIE Networks, said: “Restoration efforts are well underway and we are using every resource available to us to try to restore power to households and businesses as quickly as we possibly can.
“Additional engineers are already working on the network, with more arriving over the course of the week.
“We have also secured additional helicopters to speed up our assessment process and additional generators to support the most vulnerable in the community.
“Additional engineers are already working on the network, with more arriving over the course of the week.
“We have also secured additional helicopters to speed up our assessment process and additional generators to support the most vulnerable in the community.
“We’re doing our best to refine the updates we have for those still without power, and a second call centre has been opened to assist us in doing that.
“We also have representatives at Community Assistance Centres across Northern Ireland (details of which can be found at www.nienetworks.co.uk), and teams carrying out welfare checks on the most vulnerable.”
In the statement Mr Hynes addressed earlier calls by Stormont’s First Minister for compensation payments to households severely impacted.
“We also have representatives at Community Assistance Centres across Northern Ireland (details of which can be found at www.nienetworks.co.uk), and teams carrying out welfare checks on the most vulnerable.”
In the statement Mr Hynes addressed earlier calls by Stormont’s First Minister for compensation payments to households severely impacted.
“We are aware that First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly raised the possibility of a goodwill payment for households that have been severely impacted by Storm Éowyn,” he said.
“We are engaged with the Ministers on this matter, but our primary focus right now is to continue our work to restore power to all affected customers across Northern Ireland. ”
“We are engaged with the Ministers on this matter, but our primary focus right now is to continue our work to restore power to all affected customers across Northern Ireland. ”
A spokesperson for NIE added that it was important for the public to maintain safety around any damaged electricity equipment and never approach a broken pole or overhead power lines, and keep children and animals away.
Any damages should be reported to NIE Networks immediately on 03457 643 643.
Any damages should be reported to NIE Networks immediately on 03457 643 643.
NI Secretary of State Hilary Benn: People are facing a lot of costs
“I’m aware that the request has been made for compensation to NIE – it’s a different regularity structure in Northern Ireland compared to the arrangements elsewhere. I raised this with the chief executive a moment ago – they said they’re going to consider that and come back with my answer.
“But I recognise people are facing a lot of costs.”
“But I recognise people are facing a lot of costs.”
NI Secretary of State Hilary Benn: ‘Very concerned about vulnerable customers’
“In my discussions with local authorities and NIE networks we are very concerned about vulnerable customers and I would echo the message everyone has been given, please check in on your neighbours.”
Health Trust staff praised for ‘commitment and tenacity’ during Storm Éowyn
The Chief Executive of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has praised the “commitment and tenacity” of staff who ensured critical services were maintained during Storm Éowyn.
In the aftermath of the storm stories have emerged of healthcare staff going the extra mile to support patients, including sleeping overnight in hospitals to working longer shifts.
In the aftermath of the storm stories have emerged of healthcare staff going the extra mile to support patients, including sleeping overnight in hospitals to working longer shifts.
“It’s a cliché to say staff went above and beyond, but there’s really no other way of describing it,” said Chief Executive Jennifer Welsh.
“Over the weekend, I’ve heard so many stories about teams across our Trust who pulled out all the stops to ensure the needs of our community were met, during the storm and in its aftermath, working round the clock – and, if they weren’t able to provide a solution, they tracked down someone who could.”
Ms Welsh added: “One thing that is coming through is the care and compassion with which our teams dealt with the challenges brought by Storm Éowyn, particularly out in our community.
“To give an example, our respiratory team went to extraordinary lengths to ensure an oxygen supply was reinstated for a patient having end of life care in the community, when the storm caused a power outage.
“This allowed this person to have a peaceful, dignified death surrounded by their loved ones and the gratitude of the family was very evident.
“Another member of staff from our Estates team who was out installing a mobile generator for a vulnerable service user, even went as far as going to the local shop to fill a hot water bottle for them.
“These are just a couple of examples of the lengths our staff went to and the caring, compassionate way they do their job, each and every day.”
Ms Welsh said there had also been stories of district nurses scaling fallen trees to beat a path to their patients.
“I want to give a special mention to our district nurses and home care staff, including those from the independent sector, who play such a vital role in our community, delivering care for some of our most vulnerable residents,” she added.
“While the advice for the public was to stay at home, our staff were out on the road, as usual, ensuring critical care was provided, and I am deeply grateful to them for their commitment and tenacity in navigating such challenging weather conditions.
“They are a credit, not just to the Northern Trust, but to our wider community and I am really proud to have them on our team.”
Ms Welsh also praised the “enormous efforts” of the Trust’s Estates team who provided round the clock support to teams, responding to issues with power outages and storm damage.
Due to the storm, some Trust facilities, including Antrim Area Hospital and Causeway Hospital, had to temporarily switch to generators when the power supply was interrupted on Friday, during the storm’s peak.
The Trust’s Emergency Planning Team has been supporting the organisation’s response and assisting with the coordination of the regional multi-agency response to the impact of Storm Éowyn on health and social care services.
Gillian Traub, Northern Trust Director of Operations, said: “Colleagues worked throughout Friday and over the weekend to ensure critical services were maintained and restored to some of our most vulnerable residents, working with NIE, local councils and community partners.
“Our response is ongoing as we continue to monitor the emerging needs of our service users while NIE works to restore the network in its entirety. Given the significant disruption caused by Storm Éowyn, challenges remain for the delivery of health and social care services, but we will continue to work with colleagues across the region to ensure a joined-up, multi-agency response to support our local community.”