Thousands Still Without Power in Northern Ireland After Storm Amy
Thousands of homes and businesses across Northern Ireland are still without power after Storm Amy swept through the region, causing widespread damage to power lines, schools, and vehicles. The storm, which hit on Friday, also resulted in travel disruptions and a tragic fatality in the Republic of Ireland.
Impact and Damage
Approximately 18,000 customers in Northern Ireland remain without electricity as of Saturday, down from a peak of 65,000. NIE Networks crews are working to restore power, but ongoing yellow wind alerts could hamper their efforts. The storm brought down trees and damaged the electricity network, leading to extensive power outages.
Before midday on Saturday, 18 schools reported "storm-related incidents" to the Education Authority (EA), mainly concerning damage to roofs and fallen trees. A peak wind gust of 92mph (148km/ph) – provisionally a new October record – was recorded at the Magilligan weather station in County Londonderry on Friday.
Travel Disruption
On Friday, all trains across Northern Ireland were cancelled, but some lines began to reopen on Saturday afternoon. Many roads remain closed due to fallen trees and flooding. Belfast International Airport recorded 13 cancellations on Friday, while Dublin Airport saw about 20 cancellations on Saturday. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has urged road users to exercise extra caution.
"We are particularly urging road users to exercise extra care and attention when driving," a PSNI spokeswoman said on Saturday morning. "Surface water, flooding, fallen debris or temporary restrictions are all a strong possibility."
Power Restoration Efforts
NIE Networks hopes to restore power to the vast majority of properties by Sunday morning but advises that it could take until Monday evening for some areas. The worst-affected areas include Craigavon, Enniskillen, Omagh, Downpatrick, Ballymena, and Dungannon. Councils in those areas have set up community assistance centers.
Alex Houston, NIE Networks Operations Manager, stated, "Our response crews will be working to restore all customers as quickly as possible. We would again urge people to stay well clear of any broken or damaged electrical equipment and to report any damage immediately."
Community Support
Councils in the worst affected areas have set up community assistance centres. For example, Newry, Mourne and Down Council has a service based in its leisure centre in Downpatrick, offering hot drinks, showers, and phone charging. Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Council has a similar service at South Lake Leisure Centre in Craigavon. Fermanagh and Omagh Council has opened assistance centres at St Macartin's Cathedral Hall in Enniskillen and at Omagh Leisure Complex.
Republic of Ireland Impact
In the Republic of Ireland, a man in his 40s died in County Donegal in a "weather-related incident," and about 49,000 customers are still without power. The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) said most affected customers should have their power back by Sunday evening but warned that some in the worst affected areas may be without electricity into early next week.
Personal Accounts
A 17-year-old boy from east Belfast, who recently passed his driving test, described his shock when a tree crashed onto his car. Local resident Ellen Shells in Maghera, County Londonderry, shared her experience of being without power, relying on a torch and candle. Emmett Rafferty, a teacher, had to leave work early due to school closures.
"I was upset at first because of my car and then I realised how bad it could have actually been and that I was very lucky to be untouched," said the unnamed Belfast Teenager.
Ongoing Warnings and Advice
A yellow wind warning for all of Northern Ireland remains in place until 23:59 BST on Saturday. The public is advised to avoid unnecessary travel, exercise caution on the roads, and stay clear of damaged electrical equipment. Emergency contact information is available on the NIE Networks website and via their customer helpline.
