Storm Doris hits power supplies

Storm Doris has brought widespread disruption to power supplies across the province.
Storm Doris hit the province and brought down a number of trees and disrupted local power supplies.
Photograph by Presseye/Stephen HamiltonStorm Doris hit the province and brought down a number of trees and disrupted local power supplies.
Photograph by Presseye/Stephen Hamilton
Storm Doris hit the province and brought down a number of trees and disrupted local power supplies. Photograph by Presseye/Stephen Hamilton

A small number of properties have been affected locally with power reported to be off at the Clare Road between Bleary and Waringstown affecting a total of 13 customers.

The company, in a rapidly changing situation, are also reporting a power cut at Mullahead Road near Portadown with 14 customers affected. A similar number are off supply near Moira while 12 customers are off supply in the Diamond Lane area near Aghalee. There are also 20 homes reported as off supply in the Castlewellan Road area of Banbridge, with 16 homes off supply at Moneyslane.

NIE Networks’ engineers and repair teams continue to manage repairs to the electricity networks following Storm Doris. NIE Networks reports that around 3,500 homes and businesses are currently without power across the province.

Emergency repair teams have been out from early morning and have restored electricity supplies to around 17,000 customers.

Customers can call their helpline on 03457 643 643 to report faults or report online at nienetworks.co.uk. Further information on fault restoration is available on their website and they will be issuing information via Twitter @NIElectricity.

Sara McClintock, NIE Networks’ Communications, said: “We are currently managing around 250 individual network faults. Planned work in all areas has been cancelled and all available operational staff are being redeployed to help repair efforts.”

Trees and branches falling onto overhead electricity lines is the main cause of the damage. There are also a number of broken poles and electricity lines. NIE Networks continues to assess the extent of the damage to the electricity network and to move staff and equipment to where they are most needed.

NIE Networks is also reminding customers of the precautionary measures to take in the event of a power cut:

never approach broken lines or damaged poles, and keep children and animals away - report damage to NIE Networks on 03457 643 643 and listen to recorded messages carefully.

• If you are using a generator, be careful where you site it in case of carbon monoxide poisoning

• Turn off electric cookers, ovens, irons, etc. if electricity supply is lost.

• Leave a light switched on so you know when power has been restored.

• Take extra care if using candles, oil lamps or other naked flames.

• Test smoke alarms with fresh batteries.

• Ensure adequate ventilation if using gas heaters.

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