Ophelia clean-up begins
A number of roads remain closed across Northern Ireland this morning as we begin to get a clearer picture of the damage caused by storm Ophelia.
Last updated 17th Oct 2017
Storm Ophelia is causing further disruption after three people died in hurricane-force winds and hundreds of thousands were left without power.
Here in Northern Ireland around 4000 homes are without electricity, but 48,000 properties have already been restored. The worst affected areas include: Newry, Annalong, Newcastle, Dromore, Hillsborough, Downpatrick, Ardglass, Lisburn, Dunmurry and Newtownards.
NIE Networks emergency crews replaced broken poles, clearing trees and branches and replacing and reconnecting overhead powerlines as part of a Northern Ireland wide effort to restore power. Wind speeds overnight remained high and there may be additional damage to the network which has not yet been reported.
Julia Carson, NIE Networks Communications Manager says although the damage to the network has been significant, the repair process is progressing well:
“The damage caused by Storm Ophelia has been extensive with lines brought down by falling trees and poles broken by the high winds. Some areas experienced gusts of up to 70mph. We have been working in difficult conditions since yesterday afternoon to restore power to over 48,000 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 across Northern Ireland are open and will co-ordinate the local repair process until all customers are back on supply.
“If you are 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.
“Keep an eye on Twitter @NIElectricity and facebook for further updates.”
Meanwhile, schools here will remain closed for a second day as authorities begin to assess the damage.
Ireland experienced the worst of the weather on Monday, with winds of almost 100mph damaging electricity networks and causing widespread disruption.
One man was killed in Ravensdale, Dundalk, when a car he was in was struck by a tree at around 2.45pm, gardai said.
He has been named in reports as Fintan Goss, 33, who was a father-of-two, according to the Irish Independent.
In Cahir, Co Tipperary, a 31-year-old was killed in a chainsaw accident when he was trying to clear a tree downed by the wind.
He has been named locally as Michael Pyke.
Earlier, a woman driver in her 50s died when a tree fell on her car in strong winds near Aglish village in Co Waterford.
The Irish Independent reported the victim was former oncology nurse Clare O'Neill, who was due to celebrate her 59th birthday on Tuesday.
The Met Office has reduced the area covered by a yellow weather warning, but has still said a spell of very windy weather is likely''.
Their forecast added: Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen.''
Around 330,000 homes and business were still without power on Monday night following the worst storm on record on the island of Ireland.
Help from Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK is expected to be drafted in on Wednesday to help restore power, ESB, the Republic of Ireland's electricity network, said