101,000 remain without power in Northern Ireland after Storm Eowyn
101,000 remain without power in Northern Ireland after Storm Eowyn
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More than 100,000 remain without power in Northern Ireland in the aftermath of Storm Eowyn. Additional engineers have been brought to the region from Great Britain to help NIE Networks with the task of restoring power. 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.
The storm has seen more than 100 schools damaged and over 2,300 reported obstructions on the road network with 70 trees having to be cleared on Friday just to reopen the M2. 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. 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 that help and support for Northern Ireland in meetings with the Prime Minister and political leaders across the UK. The reconnection task is expected to be made more challenging on Sunday after the Met Office issued a yellow warning for strong winds across Northern Ireland, with potential disruption to transport and infrastructure expected.
