Storm Eleanor hits Northern Ireland

by Q Radio News

Storm Eleanor took it's toll on Northern Ireland overnight, leaving 3,000 households without electricity this morning and multiple roads across the province obstructed by fallen trees. 

According to NIE Networks, over 20,000 of their customers have been restored to power following the high winds and 70mph gusts.
 

Julie Carson, NIE Networks Communications Manager says although there's been damage to the network, the repair process is progressing well: 

“The damage caused by Storm Eleanor includes powerlines brought down by falling trees and poles broken by the high winds. 

“We have been working in difficult conditions since yesterday evening to restore power to over 20,000 customers and we’ll continue to respond to reports of damage and reconnect supplies as quickly and safely as possible. 

"Our main incident centre in Craigavon and Local Incident Centres in Northern Ireland are open and will co-ordinate the local repair process until all customers are back on supply. 

"We have mobilised emergency teams from northern counties to assist in restoring power in areas where the network was damaged by Storm Eleanor.

“If you are currently without power and you have not yet reported the disruption to NIE Networks, please report the fault online at nienetworks.co.uk or call our Customer Helpline on 03457 643 643. 

"Put safety first and if you do see any trees down across powerlines or broken electricity poles, keep away and call NIE Networks immediately.

“We may need to take customers off supply to facilitate repairs but please keep an eye on Twitter @NIElectricity and facebook for further updates.”

According to the Department for Infrastructure and Traffic Watch NI, a number of minor roads were closed as a result of fallen debris and trees.

There was even a report to the PSNI of an incident involving a man who luckily escaped his car after a car fell on it: 

Traffic Watch NI has published a list of the areas that's been affected the most in their 'emergency news' and their status: 

http://trafficwatchni.com/emergency-news

The main areas affected are Tyrone and Fermanagh where all the main roads are open however a lot of the minor roads are closed and being cleared on a priority basis. 

There's also multiple road blockages in the Southern and Eastern Divisions of Northern Ireland, as well as Belfast and the Northern Division.

In Derry-Londonderry the Lower Deck of the Craigavon Bridge has been forced to close due to flooding and diversions have been put in place. 

Other areas remain closed that were already affected by the August 2017 flooding, including bridges in Claudy and Park that had collapsed and locations in Drumahoe. 

In the event of flooding, if anyone is in need they can contact 999 or call the Flooding Incident line on 0300 2000 100. 

The Flooding Incident Line provides a single point of contact to report when property is flooded or flooding.

In the Republic at least 55,000 properties experienced blackouts as the winter storm battered the network.

Winds of up to 100mph wreaked significant damage and caused flooding on the Atlantic coast.

Parts of Galway city were submerged in the rising waters.