There are still schools and roads closed across Northern Ireland on Tuesday morning in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.
Meanwhile, 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 said he had ring-fenced the funding for “outreach services”.

Contractors from Clive Richardson Ltd working on clearing Stoney Road on Monday after Storm Éowyn (Photo by Luke Jervis / Belfast Telegraph)
Watch: First Minister and Deputy First Minister urging NIE to make ‘goodwill payments’ following Storm Éowyn
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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
Pressure mounts for ‘goodwill’ compensation payments
Tips for surviving a blackout
Nearly 200 electricity engineers deployed to NI from other parts of UK
“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?
43,000 still without power
DUP’s Gordon Lyons calls on NIE to ‘step up’ with compensation
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
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
- 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
- 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
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
“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 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 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. ”
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
“But I recognise people are facing a lot of costs.”
NI Secretary of State Hilary Benn: ‘Very concerned about vulnerable customers’
Health Trust staff praised for ‘commitment and tenacity’ 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.
TRAFFIC ALERT
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 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.”
NI Secretary of State Hilary Benn: ‘Down the line time to consider costs’
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’
“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.”