Thousands remain without power following Storm Darragh
NIE Networks have warned it may take days for power to be restored to all customers in the region following damage caused by gusts of up to 70mph.
15,000 customers remain without power across Northern Ireland this morning (as of 9am) following Storm Darragh.
NIE Networks have warned it may take days for power to be restored to all customers in the region following damage caused by gusts of up to 70mph.
At the peak, some 48,000 were without power. NIE Networks said by 9pm on Saturday, about 22,000 remained without power.
A spokesperson said: "At this stage, NIE Networks estimate that it may be a number of days before they can reconnect all those customers impacted."
Alex Houston, Network Operations Manager, explained: “Most of the faults affecting high numbers of customers have been repaired which has allowed us to restore significant numbers of customers. However, there are still around 1200 faults across the network some of which are affecting very small numbers of customers so we do anticipate that it will take some time before we can get all of these cleared. Engineers will be working to restore customers as quickly as they can and we will provide further updates as soon as we are able to.”
A number of community assistance centres across Northern Ireland are opening today from 2-4, to offer assistance to those still without power:
• South Lake Leisure Centre in Craigavon
• Lagan Valley Leisureplex in Lisburn
• Ards Blair Mayne in Newtownards
• Seven Towers in Ballymena
• Cookstown Leisure Centre
• Kilkeel Leisure Centre
• Fermanagh Lakeland Forum
Additionally, Coleraine Leisure Centre will open from Noon until 3pm on Sunday 8 December.
The centres will offer warm drinks, charging and changing facilities and NIE Networks staff will be on hand to answer any queries. Anyone who requires electricity for medical care will also be able to sign up to the NIE Networks Medical Customer Care Register.
Trains and some bus services and flights were cancelled across Saturday as the storm battered Northern Ireland.
A bus was involved in a road crash in Co Antrim in the early hours of Saturday while Stena Line ferry services from Belfast to Cairnryan in Scotland were cancelled.
A ferry remained off the coast of Co Antrim on Saturday, believed to have been sheltering from the weather conditions.
A major power station reported damage to a chimney from the storm, adding it had halted electricity generation temporarily while the damage was assessed and addressed.
EP Ballylumford station manager Tim McCullough said: "We are fully committed to ensuring the safe restoration of operations.
"The safety of our staff and the integrity of our equipment are our top priorities, and we are working closely with all necessary parties to minimise any disruption to electricity supply."
The Department for Infrastructure said multi-agency partners have been meeting in response to the Met Office's amber weather warning for wind which remained in place until 9pm.
In a statement, the Stormont department urged people to make only essential travel because road conditions were challenging.
They said disruption to bus and train services as well as some flights was continuing and the Strangford ferry has been suspended until further notice.
"Translink have taken steps to mitigate against the effects of Storm Darragh. Additional buses are on standby. Additional support and teams are also on standby, including chainsaw crews, to assist with any fallen debris blocking the railway," a department spokesman said.
"If roads are blocked, it may be necessary to divert Ulsterbus or Goldliner services.
"Safety is Translink's number one priority. All passengers should check the Translink Journey Planner or social media channels in advance of travel and to allow extra time for their journeys.
"Department for Infrastructure staff have been working through the night to respond to approximately 900 incidents which are mainly debris on the roads, fallen trees and branches and flooding."
A Translink spokesperson said a driver on the bus involved in the collision in Co Antrim had been the only person on board at the time and was taken to hospital for treatment.
"We can confirm that the driver has since been discharged from hospital," they said.
"Our immediate priority is the welfare of our colleague, and we are providing support to them and their family. An internal investigation is under way, and we are working closely with the relevant authorities to establish the circumstances of the incident."
A number of roads, including Castle Street in Belfast city centre, were closed on Saturday morning while clean-up work was carried out.
Some events in Northern Ireland, including three Irish League football clashes and a planned vigil in Belfast for the women of Afghanistan have been called off, while the Apprentice Boys of Derry shutting of the gates event in Londonderry was set to go ahead.
The Belfast Christmas Market was not expected to open, with organisers saying they need to ensure visitors and traders are kept safe.
In the Republic of Ireland, almost 400,000 customers are without power.
NIE Networks is also reminding the public to stay clear of any damaged electricity equipment, keep children and animals away and to report any incidents of damage immediately to the NIE Networks Customer Helpline on 03457 643 643.