More than 1,000 people in Northern Ireland continued to be affected by water outages, as Secretary of State said down the ‘down the line is the time to consider costs’ when asked about funding.
Speaking at a NIE headquarters on Monday, Hilary Benn, said if that if NI needs more funding it can be requested from the UK Government.
Earlier in the day, First Minister Michelle O’Neill raised the issue of compensation for people who have been severely impacted by Storm Éowyn.
During a press conference the Sinn Fein MLA said: “We have come from another meeting with NIE where we have been pushing as hard as we can to get everyone connected as quickly as possible and we both raised the issue of compensation.
The majority of schools across Northern Ireland will be open on Monday, although 18 schools are so far confirmed as closed.
Meanwhile, there is disruption on the roads and approximately 60,000 customers remain without electricity.
Watch: First Minister and Deputy First Minister urging NIE to make ‘goodwill payments’ following Storm Éowyn
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Key updates
Police help rescue family with no heat or electric ‘trapped by hundreds of trees’ in rural Co Fermanagh
60,000 remain without electricity
Stormont press conference: NIE looking at issue of compensation
Road closures in place following the storm
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.”
TRAFFIC ALERT
Road users are advised the Glenavy Road remains closed between School Lane and Whinney Hill Road due to a tree which has fallen on a cable.
Police advise road users to avoid the area at this time, and seek an alternative route for your journey.
Police advise road users to avoid the area at this time, and seek an alternative route for your journey.
Police help rescue family with no heat or electric ‘trapped by hundreds of trees’ in rural Co Fermanagh
A trapped family with dwindling food supplies, no heat and no power were rescued by police this afternoon after “hundreds of trees” fell around their property in Co Fermanagh due to Storm Éowyn.
In a post on social media, PSNI Fermanagh and Omagh, said its officers responded to a dropped 999 call from the family, and found the long laneway to their property covered in hundreds of fallen trees.
“We set off on foot with some basic supplies from a nearby property crossing several fields to check in on the family and ensure there were no ongoing emergency issues,” a spokesperson said.
“A big thank you to the Forest Service staff in Enniskillen and Greentown environmental who also responded quickly to our call for assistance and started the laborious process of cutting through hundreds of fallen trees as you can see in the picture!
“There are still a lot of rural phone masts, phone lines and electricity lines out of action so please check in on your vulnerable neighbours! We are sure there are still many vulnerable people out there who need help at the moment. If you think we can assist, please get in touch and we will do our best to help out alongside our other various government and charity partners.”
Forest Service staff removing the fallen trees near the trapped family’s home. .PSNI/PSNI Fermanagh and Omagh
NI Secretary of State Hilary Benn: ‘Down the line time to consider costs’
SOS Hilary Benn has said ‘down the line is the time to consider costs’ when asked about funding.
He said if Northern Ireland needs more funding help they can request it from the UK Government.
He said if Northern Ireland needs more funding help they can request it from the UK Government.
NI Secretary of State Hilary Benn: ‘Eowyn a once in a generation storm’
“I want to thank all of the people who have been working so hard since the storm arrived on Friday. I want to echo the message to please check in with your neighbours.
“We have been working very hard to meet the needs of Northern Ireland. This is showing the strength of the UK in this once in a generation storm.”
“We have been working very hard to meet the needs of Northern Ireland. This is showing the strength of the UK in this once in a generation storm.”
More than 1,000 people affected by water outages due to Storm Eowyn
NI Water said that storm Eowyn has had a significant impact on assets, either through loss of electrical power or damage to equipment.
In a statement a spokesperson said the company will work “day and night” until supplies are returned to normal.
“While we have made significant progress over the weekend, we appreciate there are still approx. 1,000 customers experiencing a loss of water supply,” said a spokesperson.
“Numbers can fluctuate depending on burst pipes, air locks etc. We can give the assurance to all those customers that we won’t stop until all our properties are back on supply.
“We are a 24/7 business, and that work will continue day and night until all water supplies are back to normal.”
NI Water added that power outages were impacting their monitoring capabilities.
“Generators have been deployed to various sites throughout the weekend and teams have been identifying and repairing damaged equipment as they reach it,” they added.
“The weather conditions in the West were making this repair effort particularly challenging.”
In a statement a spokesperson said the company will work “day and night” until supplies are returned to normal.
“While we have made significant progress over the weekend, we appreciate there are still approx. 1,000 customers experiencing a loss of water supply,” said a spokesperson.
“Numbers can fluctuate depending on burst pipes, air locks etc. We can give the assurance to all those customers that we won’t stop until all our properties are back on supply.
“We are a 24/7 business, and that work will continue day and night until all water supplies are back to normal.”
NI Water added that power outages were impacting their monitoring capabilities.
“Generators have been deployed to various sites throughout the weekend and teams have been identifying and repairing damaged equipment as they reach it,” they added.
“The weather conditions in the West were making this repair effort particularly challenging.”
Causeway Coast & Glens, Derry City & Strabane and Fermanagh & Omagh District Councils are supporting NI Water in the distribution of bottled water to customers without supply at the following locations:
- Omagh Leisure Centre – Old Mountfield Rd, Omagh BT79 7EGE
- Enniskillen Lakeland Forum – Broadmeadow, Enniskillen BT74 7EF
- Dungiven Sports Centre – 32 Curragh Road, Dungiven BT47 4SE
- Derg Valley Leisure Centre – 6 Strabane Rd, Castlederg BT81 7HZ (Monday late afternoon)
- Belleek Community Centre – Marina Road, Belleek BT93 3EZ (Monday late afternoon)
- Milestone Centre, Termon Rd, Carrickmore, Omagh BT79 9AL(Monday late afternoon)
Anyone having difficulty attending those locations, is urged contact NI Water on their Waterline number 03457 44 00 88 for direct assistance.
They asked the public to use other channels to reach the company where possible, in order to keep lines open for more vulnerable customers or those without internet access.
They asked the public to use other channels to reach the company where possible, in order to keep lines open for more vulnerable customers or those without internet access.
“For real-time updates and support, connect with us on our Live Chat at facebook.com/niwater or follow us on X at @niwnews,” they added.
Up to date information can be found on NI Water’s website by using the postcode search function.
Up to date information can be found on NI Water’s website by using the postcode search function.
Frontline services ‘working tirelessly’
Housing Executive response to Storm Eowyn: More than 5,300 calls received
Grainia Long, Chief Executive of the Housing Executive said: “Preparations for Storm Éowyn began early last week, when it became clear this weather event was to become a major incident.
“Our teams, contractors and homelessness partners were placed on standby and an extended Severe Weather Emergency Protocol was put in place, ensuring those at risk of rough sleeping were cared for.
“Since Friday we’ve received over 5300 calls and issued over 1,300 emergency repairs mostly relating to storm damage, fallen trees and heating issues.
“On Friday evening, as the poor weather subsided and when it was safe to do so our maintenance teams and contractors were able access site, assess the scale of this damage and prioritise our response.
“Already , 1,200 of the reported emergency repairs have been attended to and we are hopeful that many more will be dealt with today.
“Our thanks go to our teams and our contractors who worked over the weekend to assist with tenants and to get repair work carried out.”
“Our teams, contractors and homelessness partners were placed on standby and an extended Severe Weather Emergency Protocol was put in place, ensuring those at risk of rough sleeping were cared for.
“Since Friday we’ve received over 5300 calls and issued over 1,300 emergency repairs mostly relating to storm damage, fallen trees and heating issues.
“On Friday evening, as the poor weather subsided and when it was safe to do so our maintenance teams and contractors were able access site, assess the scale of this damage and prioritise our response.
“Already , 1,200 of the reported emergency repairs have been attended to and we are hopeful that many more will be dealt with today.
“Our thanks go to our teams and our contractors who worked over the weekend to assist with tenants and to get repair work carried out.”
60,000 remain without electricity
Approximately 60,000 customers remain without electricity across Northern Ireland with power now restored to 215,000 properties following the extensive damage to the electricity network caused by Storm Eowyn on Friday.
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 today and 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 and teams carrying out welfare checks on the most vulnerable.”
Details of the Community Assistance Centres set up by each council can be found at www.nienetworks.co.uk.
NIE is reminding 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.
Report any damage to NIE Networks immediately on 03457 643 643.
NIE Networks is also reminding of cautionary measures in the event of a power cut:
- Never approach broken overhead power lines or damaged poles and keep children and animals away.
- Report any damage to NIE Networks immediately on 03457 643 643.
- If you are using a generator, be careful where you site it in case of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Turn off electric cookers, ovens, irons, etc. if electricity supply is lost.
- Leave a light switched on so you know when power has been restored.
- Take extra care if using candles.
- Test smoke alarms with fresh batteries.
- Ensure adequate ventilation if using gas heaters.
NIE reminds customers that they can report faults online, and also check for status updates at www.nienetworks.co.uk, or call the NIE Networks Customer Helpline on 03457 643 643.
Centres open for those still without power
Stormont press conference: Extreme weather events becoming more of the norm – we will learn for future
Michelle O’Neill: “These extreme weather alerts are becoming more of the norm – we talk about things being unprecedented but they are more and more precented. We have to be able to respond accordingly.
“The early days of the storm response I’m quite assured by the contingency plans we have in place.
“Particularly given the nature of the last couple of days – services have all talked to each other and really joined up
“We have demonstrated that our plans we have in place – when they kick in – they can work very well.
“There is always room for improvement and after every storm you review what worked and what didn’t and we will learn from this storm event also.”
“The early days of the storm response I’m quite assured by the contingency plans we have in place.
“Particularly given the nature of the last couple of days – services have all talked to each other and really joined up
“We have demonstrated that our plans we have in place – when they kick in – they can work very well.
“There is always room for improvement and after every storm you review what worked and what didn’t and we will learn from this storm event also.”
Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly addressing the press at Stormont.Press Eye
Stormont press conference: Only day before storm you get sense of it going to red alert
Emma Little Pengelly: “We knew about the storm coming in within the 24/48 hours period before it hit – it was only the day before you get a sense in terms of going up to red alert and activating civil contingency mechanisms.”
Stormont press conference: Companies make significant profits each year – they should make goodwill payment
Michelle O’Neill: “In terms of people that need support – we made the case very strongly to NIE that there should be a goodwill payment
Coming towards end of January people could be struggling to get to the end of month.
“We made the case very strongly and expect them to turn that response around very quickly so we can start to tell people they can have the goodwill”
Coming towards end of January people could be struggling to get to the end of month.
“We made the case very strongly and expect them to turn that response around very quickly so we can start to tell people they can have the goodwill”
“These companies make significant profits every year they should make sure they make that goodwill payment now in the time of need”
Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly addressing the press at Stormont.Press Eye
Stormont press conference: Executive won’t be shy about asking for additional help
Michelle O’Neill: “On Friday we were assessing the impact – we had an Executive meeting and realized we had to reach out for additional resources.
“We have achieved additional engineers and additional bodes, generators and helicopters.
“There’s been a large volume of help.”
“NIE expected to receive more additional support in the coming days.”
“Whatever support we can get – we haven’t been and won’t be shy about asking for it’
“We have achieved additional engineers and additional bodes, generators and helicopters.
“There’s been a large volume of help.”
“NIE expected to receive more additional support in the coming days.”
“Whatever support we can get – we haven’t been and won’t be shy about asking for it’
Stormont press conference: Executive urging NIE to ‘step up and do goodwill payment’
Emma Little Pengelly said the Executive is working to get connection dates “pulled forward” and as many people connected in “next 24 hours to 48 hours”.
“We’ve urged NIE to go away and consider our proposal for goodwill payments – we understand that’s what’s happening in Scottish energy companies in relation to the same storm – we see no reason why this shouldn’t happen here so we are urging NIE to go away and consider that and come back to us very quickly with an indication of what they want to do.
Those people without electricity and water are facing real hardship. Many have had to eat out and not able to make food for family within their home.
Food within fridges and freezers unable to be used.
It’s the right thing to do for NIE to step up and do a goodwill payment and not wait for further discussions.
They can do a goodwill payment is our understanding.”
Stormont press conference: Unacceptable position for people in day 4 of storm impact
Emma Little Pengelly: “We are very conscious this is day 4 and there are still people without electricity, access to water or communications.
“That is an unacceptable position and we are doing everything we can do in our power to get those reconnections made as soon as possible”
“That is an unacceptable position and we are doing everything we can do in our power to get those reconnections made as soon as possible”
Stormont press conference: NIE looking at issue of compensation
Michelle O’Neill: “We have come from another meeting with NIE where we have been pushing as hard as we can to get everyone connected as quickly as possible and we both raised the issue of compensation.
“This a difficult time for people – we are into day four for some people.
“Real examples we are encountering – over the weekend I was speaking to a lady feeding family of 3 on take-outs over the weekend because she doesn’t have any facilities to cook
“We have asked NIE to look at the issue of compensation. We think that is important that people are supported through these difficult days”