This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/22/power-cut-northern-ireland-snow

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Power cut hits 40,000 homes in Northern Ireland after heavy snow Snow and winds cut power to 40,000 homes in Northern Ireland
(about 1 hour later)
More than 40,000 homes in Northern Ireland are without electricity after arctic conditions descended on the province. More than 40,000 homes in Northern Ireland are without electricity after Arctic conditions descended on the country.
Heavy snowfalls and winds of up to 50mph brought down power lines overnight in counties Antrim and Down. Heavy snowfall and winds of up to 50mph brought down power lines overnight in the counties of Antrim and Down.
One of the casualties of the snow and high winds has been Belfast's Lyric theatre, which is without power and had to cancel a Creative Industries event scheduled for Friday. Seventy schools have also been closed in eastern counties and at least seven rural roads have been cut off because of snow and fallen trees. Seventy schools had been closed in eastern counties and at least seven rural roads had been cut off because of snow and fallen trees. Belfast's Lyric theatre had to cancel a Creative Industries event scheduled for Friday due to the lack of power.
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) said the damage to power supplies was concentrated in southern and eastern areas.Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) said the damage to power supplies was concentrated in southern and eastern areas.
"Damage has been caused by flying debris and high winds, including broken electricity lines and damage to poles and other equipment," NIE said."Damage has been caused by flying debris and high winds, including broken electricity lines and damage to poles and other equipment," NIE said.
"There may also be further faults which have not yet been reported to Northern Ireland Electricity and the adverse weather conditions, which could cause additional faults, are continuing."There may also be further faults which have not yet been reported to Northern Ireland Electricity and the adverse weather conditions, which could cause additional faults, are continuing.
"Customers who contact NIE by phone should listen fully to the recorded telephone messages which will provide the best and latest information available.""Customers who contact NIE by phone should listen fully to the recorded telephone messages which will provide the best and latest information available."
Both airports in Belfast remain open but the George Best city airport's runway was closed for a time early on Friday morning. Both airports in Belfast remained open but the George Best city airport's runway was closed for a time early on Friday morning.