More than 240,000 without power in NI after Storm Eowyn batters region
More than 240,000 without power in NI after Storm Eowyn batters region
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More than 240,000 homes and businesses are without power in Northern Ireland after Storm Eowyn battered the region. Hundreds of trees came down during the storm, damaging properties and blocking roads. The strongest gust of wind recorded on Friday was 92.2mph at Killowen in Co Down.
A Met Office red warning remains in place across Northern Ireland until 2pm. The record for a gust in Northern Ireland is 124mph, which was recorded in Kilkeel in Co Down in January 1974. Schools, colleges, courts and many shops are closed, while public transport is suspended and some health appointments have been postponed amid a top-level red warning for wind.
Dozens of flights have been cancelled at Belfast International and Belfast City airports. The Met Office red alert came into effect at 7am. The forecaster warned of “very dangerous conditions” and “widespread disruption”. The Aurora Leisure centre in Bangor, Co Down, sustained significant damage to its roof, and several large trees crashed down in Cyprus Avenue, a tree-lined street in east Belfast made famous by a Van Morrison song.
NIE Networks activated its emergency plans in response to the storm, and efforts to restore power will start after 2pm when the red weather warning has been lifted. Alex Houston, network operations manager for NIE Networks, urged people to stay clear of any damaged equipment or broken lines.
