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Compensation call as thousands remain without power 'Extremely challenging situation': Thousands remain without power
(about 3 hours later)
Terri-Lee Watson's son has Cystic Fibrosis which can be aggravated by cold weatherTerri-Lee Watson's son has Cystic Fibrosis which can be aggravated by cold weather
The first and deputy first ministers have called for Northern Ireland's electricity distribution company to provide compensation to those impacted by Storm Éowyn as 60,000 properties remain without power for a fourth day. A mother from County Londonderry has said she is concerned for the health of her six-year-old son Jace, who has cystic fibrosis, as she remains without power for a fourth day following Storm Éowyn.
Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly said Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Networks should "step up" and provide the support. Terri Lee-Watson from Limavady said the power cut, which began on Friday, was a "novelty" at the beginning, but now she is concerned the cold temperature will negatively affect her son.
Specialist engineers have arrived from England to help restore power, but NIE has warned it could be 3 February before all properties are reconnected.
One of those affected is Terri Lee-Watson from Limavady, County Londonderry - she told BBC News NI she is concerned for the health of her six-year-old son, who has cystic fibrosis.
Electricity engineers inspect damage caused by fallen trees near Hillsborough on Monday
Ms Watson said the power cut, which began on Friday, was a "novelty" at the beginning, but now she is concerned the cold temperature will negatively affect her son.
"The coldness can be really detrimental to his health," she told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme."The coldness can be really detrimental to his health," she told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.
"A cold could sit on his chest and give him a chest infection.""A cold could sit on his chest and give him a chest infection."
The first and deputy first ministers have called for Northern Ireland's electricity distribution company to "step up" and provide compensation as 60,000 properties remain without electricity.
Specialist engineers have arrived from England to help restore power, but Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has warned it could be 3 February before all properties are reconnected.
Electricity engineers inspect damage caused by fallen trees near Hillsborough on Monday
'Worst-case scenario''Worst-case scenario'
The Watson family spent Friday night in their own home, using blankets to stay warm, but have since moved out to stay with family members.The Watson family spent Friday night in their own home, using blankets to stay warm, but have since moved out to stay with family members.
"We're just so lucky that we have got family up here, because there are so many people who will be stuck at home and have to just make do with what they have," she said."We're just so lucky that we have got family up here, because there are so many people who will be stuck at home and have to just make do with what they have," she said.
"He's got a nebuliser to do every day. If he didn't do that, it could affect his health; he could get mucus build-up in his chest."He's got a nebuliser to do every day. If he didn't do that, it could affect his health; he could get mucus build-up in his chest.
"It wouldn't just be a cold to him. It could be a nasty chest infection that could land him in the hospital."It wouldn't just be a cold to him. It could be a nasty chest infection that could land him in the hospital.
"The one or two days that he has missed his nebuliser hopefully won't have an effect on his health, but if it were to go on for the full week, it definitely would, and we can't take that chance.""The one or two days that he has missed his nebuliser hopefully won't have an effect on his health, but if it were to go on for the full week, it definitely would, and we can't take that chance."
Ms Watson said she's had to do additional physiotherapy on her son to counteract the cold.Ms Watson said she's had to do additional physiotherapy on her son to counteract the cold.
She told BBC News NI that she hopes NIE's estimate of 10 days to restore service is the "worst-case scenario".She told BBC News NI that she hopes NIE's estimate of 10 days to restore service is the "worst-case scenario".
"I'm hoping that there's a good chance that it comes on any day really, or any hour possible," she said."I'm hoping that there's a good chance that it comes on any day really, or any hour possible," she said.
Call for compensation 'Devastating'
The first and deputy first ministers spoke about the situation in Northern Ireland at Stormont on Monday NIE engineer Caron Malone said teams are working "tirelessly"
O'Neill said they "made the case very strongly to NIE that we believe there should be a goodwill payment".
Little-Pengelly added that "these companies make significant profits every year" and it was important that support was provided in people's "time of need".
The ministers were speaking at Stormont after meeting with NIE and a meeting of the Northern Ireland Executive which discussed the storm damage response.
The roof was torn off the Chimney Corner Hotel, outside Belfast, in Co Antrim, on Friday
Little-Pengelly said that it was "unacceptable" that some are still without power.
She said NIE was due to respond shortly to the compensation proposal.
The deputy first minister said they had highlighted how Scottish energy companies "have been stepping up" with similar compensation for customers.
O'Neill added: "This is a difficult time for people – we're into day four [without electricity] for some.
"We are pushing as hard as we possibly can in terms of getting everybody connected as quickly as possible."
O'Neill also commended the multi-agency response to the storm and said there was "a very constructive conversation" over the weekend with the UK government about seeking additional support.
About 1,700 people in Northern Ireland are still without water but NI Water has committed to try to secure the connection for those affected by 10:00 GMT on Monday, Little-Pengelly said.
A large tree fell across a carriageway in Ballymena, Co Antrim, during Storm Éowyn
Power has now been restored to 215,000 properties.Power has now been restored to 215,000 properties.
However, NIE Networks managing director Derek Hynes has said it will be "around 10 days by the time we complete the repairs needed to get power back to everyone". Speaking on Good Morning Ulster, Ronan McKeown, NIE future networks director, said it was "an extremely challenging situation".
Ronan McKeown, NIE future networks director, said it's been "an extremely challenging situation" with their staff working "flat out".
Storm Herminia on Sunday also "pulled us back a bit in terms of more faults coming in," he said on Good Morning Ulster.
He said the majority of customers still without power are expected to be "back on by Thursday at 10 o'clock".He said the majority of customers still without power are expected to be "back on by Thursday at 10 o'clock".
"It's hard to be precise but our initial analysis at the minute is showing between 15 - 20,000 beyond Thursday," he added."It's hard to be precise but our initial analysis at the minute is showing between 15 - 20,000 beyond Thursday," he added.
NIE Networks engineer Caron Malone told BBC News NI that Storm Éowyn was "the worst storm we've ever faced here in Northern Ireland".
"The consequences and the impact that it's had on the network has been really devastating, but we're working tirelessly to get everybody back on supply."
There are 11 community assistance centres, supported by NIE staff, and over 60 drop-in centres to help those without power.
Opening times can be found here, external.
'I've cancelled 15 cake orders'
Rachel McGowan had to cancel 15 cake orders as her power is still off
Rachel McGowan, who owns a cake business, has been without electricity since Friday morning.
She said she baked as much as possible before the storm hit to complete all her Saturday orders - even finishing some by melting chocolate over the fire.
However she had to cancel a cake decorating event on Friday night and 15 cake orders for this week.
"Thankfully there were no weddings but there was a 100th birthday, a first birthday, first communions," she said.
"They are all still really important to each family."
'Horror stories'
Danielle McKenna said Sure Start has been providing a warm space for families
Meanwhile, Clogher Valley Sure Start childcare facility has been providing support to families without power and water.
Its project manager Danielle McKenna told BBC News NI that parents have been able "to come into a warm space that had all the basic essentials".
"Parents were able to make a cup of tea, charge devices and get bottles ready," she said, adding that they also used the washing machines and freezers to store food.
Local councillor Eugene McConnell said he has heard "horror stories of people in the area trying to care for elderly parents with no electricity and no water".
Farmers are also facing challenges, he said.
"Cattle need to drink as well as human beings and having no water is completely the worst case scenario for [farmers]."
'Our roof flew off''Our roof flew off'
The roof of Tracey and Tam McMahon's house blew off in the stormThe roof of Tracey and Tam McMahon's house blew off in the storm
Other homeowners are picking up the pieces after damage to their properties during the storm.Other homeowners are picking up the pieces after damage to their properties during the storm.
Tracey and Tam McMahon, who live outside Coalisland, County Tyrone, lost the roof of their house.Tracey and Tam McMahon, who live outside Coalisland, County Tyrone, lost the roof of their house.
Ms McMahon told BBC News NI that she could see parts of the roof "flying past the kitchen window".Ms McMahon told BBC News NI that she could see parts of the roof "flying past the kitchen window".
"It's hard to describe it," she said."It's hard to describe it," she said.
"We didn't know if it was safe to leave the house because it was so dark, so we just had to sit tight until daylight.""We didn't know if it was safe to leave the house because it was so dark, so we just had to sit tight until daylight."
Mr McMahon said it felt "like a tornado".Mr McMahon said it felt "like a tornado".
"When you go into the house, there's water dripping everywhere and parts of the ceilings that are left are getting ready to collapse," he added."When you go into the house, there's water dripping everywhere and parts of the ceilings that are left are getting ready to collapse," he added.
A fallen tree brought down during Storm Éowyn blocks the road in Holywood, near Belfast, on Friday The roof was torn off the Chimney Corner Hotel, outside Belfast, in Co Antrim, on Friday
The Northern Ireland Secretary, Hilary Benn, said the UK government will offer "every possible support" to the effort to repair damage.
Ten schools in Northern Ireland closed on Monday due to structural damage caused by Storm Éowyn, the education minister said.Ten schools in Northern Ireland closed on Monday due to structural damage caused by Storm Éowyn, the education minister said.
The EA maintenance helpline has been operational throughout the weekend and received 154 reports of damage to school buildings.The EA maintenance helpline has been operational throughout the weekend and received 154 reports of damage to school buildings.
It ranged in severity from missing roof tiles, fallen trees and serious structural damage.It ranged in severity from missing roof tiles, fallen trees and serious structural damage.
A large tree was uprooted in Marine Gardens, Carrickfergus, in County Antrim, on Friday A large tree fell across a carriageway in Ballymena, Co Antrim, during Storm Éowyn
In the Republic of Ireland, there are over 200,000 customers still without power, down from a peak of 768,000, as a result of Storm Éowyn. In the Republic of Ireland, there are more than 200,000 customers still without power, down from a peak of 768,000, as a result of Storm Éowyn.
One man, Kacper Dudek, 20, died after a tree fell on his car in Raphoe, County Donegal, during the storm.One man, Kacper Dudek, 20, died after a tree fell on his car in Raphoe, County Donegal, during the storm.
Thousands of customers in Scotland are also still without power.Thousands of customers in Scotland are also still without power.
Emergency contactsEmergency contacts
To report faults or emergencies you should contact:To report faults or emergencies you should contact:
Northern Ireland Housing Executive: 03448 920 901Northern Ireland Housing Executive: 03448 920 901
Openreach Damages to Network: 08000 23 20 23 (Individual faults must be logged with Communications Providers)Openreach Damages to Network: 08000 23 20 23 (Individual faults must be logged with Communications Providers)
Gas networks: 0800 002001Gas networks: 0800 002001
NI Water: 03457 44 00 88 or visit niwater.com, externalNI Water: 03457 44 00 88 or visit niwater.com, external
Flooding Incident Line: 0300 2000 100Flooding Incident Line: 0300 2000 100
NIE Networks: 03457 643 643 or visit nienetworks.co.ukNIE Networks: 03457 643 643 or visit nienetworks.co.uk