This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21910717

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Snow storms: Thousands without power in Northern Ireland Snow storms: Thousands without power in Northern Ireland
(about 3 hours later)
About 35,000 homes are still without electricity in Northern Ireland after 24 hours of severe weather. About 29,000 homes are still without electricity in Northern Ireland after 24 hours of severe weather.
Northern Ireland Electricity has been working around the clock to restore supplies but said it could be days before all the problems are fixed.Northern Ireland Electricity has been working around the clock to restore supplies but said it could be days before all the problems are fixed.
The power cuts have also disrupted water supplies in some areas, with about 1,000 customers in south Antrim and parts of County Down without water.The power cuts have also disrupted water supplies in some areas, with about 1,000 customers in south Antrim and parts of County Down without water.
The road and rail networks, flights and ferries have also been disrupted.The road and rail networks, flights and ferries have also been disrupted.
NIE helicopter
Many roads across Northern Ireland are closed and motorists have been warned of very dangerous conditions.Many roads across Northern Ireland are closed and motorists have been warned of very dangerous conditions.
NIE has deployed a helicopter "to patrol electricity lines in areas that cannot be reached by road".NIE has deployed a helicopter "to patrol electricity lines in areas that cannot be reached by road".
Repair teams from Scotland and the Republic of Ireland have been called in to help.Repair teams from Scotland and the Republic of Ireland have been called in to help.
An NIE spokeswoman said 100 linesmen were deployed from 07:00 GMT on Saturday to some of the worst affected areas, including rural areas around Ballyclare, Larne, Bangor and Downpatrick. An NIE spokeswoman said more than 100 linesmen were deployed from 07:00 GMT on Saturday to some of the worst affected areas, including rural areas around Ballyclare, Larne, Bangor and Downpatrick.
'Struggling'
Sara McClintock from NIE said: "Access to faults remains our biggest problem.Sara McClintock from NIE said: "Access to faults remains our biggest problem.
"We will continue with all of our efforts to restore customers as soon as is humanly possible but in many cases our crews are struggling through snow drifts up to six feet in depth.""We will continue with all of our efforts to restore customers as soon as is humanly possible but in many cases our crews are struggling through snow drifts up to six feet in depth."
Ms McClintock added: "Specialist engineers will be monitoring the network from the helicopter and provide vital information on access and network damage to crews on the ground.Ms McClintock added: "Specialist engineers will be monitoring the network from the helicopter and provide vital information on access and network damage to crews on the ground.
"This is particularly important as many roads remain impassable due to snow and abandoned vehicles.""This is particularly important as many roads remain impassable due to snow and abandoned vehicles."
Northern Ireland Water said that as a result of the power outages, a number of its water pumping stations were "experiencing intermittent power interruptions" and this was affecting customers' supplies.Northern Ireland Water said that as a result of the power outages, a number of its water pumping stations were "experiencing intermittent power interruptions" and this was affecting customers' supplies.
Sheep killed
In a statement, the company said: "NI Water has deployed emergency generators to a number of sites to ensure supply is maintained to customers, however a number of customers in southern parts of County Antrim & County Down may experience low pressure or interruptions to their water supplies as a result of these power interruptions."In a statement, the company said: "NI Water has deployed emergency generators to a number of sites to ensure supply is maintained to customers, however a number of customers in southern parts of County Antrim & County Down may experience low pressure or interruptions to their water supplies as a result of these power interruptions."
In Glenariff, County Antrim, a farmer has lost a number of sheep after the roofs on his lambing sheds collapsed due to the weight of snow.In Glenariff, County Antrim, a farmer has lost a number of sheep after the roofs on his lambing sheds collapsed due to the weight of snow.
James McHenry had moved more then 100 of his sheep inside because of the weather.James McHenry had moved more then 100 of his sheep inside because of the weather.
A number of his sheep were killed and many others were trapped because the sheds are unsafe.A number of his sheep were killed and many others were trapped because the sheds are unsafe.
Mr McHenry said it a was devastating blow to his farm.Mr McHenry said it a was devastating blow to his farm.
"The sheep have been our life and we've worked so hard. It's been a bad winter right through and we fed sheep quite well and brought them in to lamb and then this happened."The sheep have been our life and we've worked so hard. It's been a bad winter right through and we fed sheep quite well and brought them in to lamb and then this happened.
"It just feels as if part of us has gone," the farmer said."It just feels as if part of us has gone," the farmer said.
Blackout
On Friday evening, a fault on the electricity network meant 200,000 homes in Belfast were without power for a time.On Friday evening, a fault on the electricity network meant 200,000 homes in Belfast were without power for a time.
NIE said the blackout was caused by an issue with the high voltage transmission network.NIE said the blackout was caused by an issue with the high voltage transmission network.
NIE can be contacted on 08457 643 643.NIE can be contacted on 08457 643 643.
Customers experiencing interruptions to their water supplies should contact Waterline on 08457 44 00 88.Customers experiencing interruptions to their water supplies should contact Waterline on 08457 44 00 88.