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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Thousands still without power in Northern Ireland | Thousands still without power in Northern Ireland |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Emergency repair crews have worked into the night, to try to restore electricity to thousands of homes still without power in Northern Ireland. | Emergency repair crews have worked into the night, to try to restore electricity to thousands of homes still without power in Northern Ireland. |
| According to the latest figures, 10,000 customers are still cut off. | |
| Many roads are blocked due to heavy snow, particularly in rural parts of County Antrim, and some families cannot leave their homes. | Many roads are blocked due to heavy snow, particularly in rural parts of County Antrim, and some families cannot leave their homes. |
| An RAF helicopter, carrying a military mountain rescue team, has been sent to NI from Wales to assist the police. | An RAF helicopter, carrying a military mountain rescue team, has been sent to NI from Wales to assist the police. |
| A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said the Sea King helicopter had been sent from RAF Valley in Anglesey to help with "weather relief". | A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said the Sea King helicopter had been sent from RAF Valley in Anglesey to help with "weather relief". |
| It will support the PSNI and other rescue teams, and the operation will be coordinated through the Joint Helicopter Flying Station at Aldergrove. | It will support the PSNI and other rescue teams, and the operation will be coordinated through the Joint Helicopter Flying Station at Aldergrove. |
| 'Blizzards' | 'Blizzards' |
| Electricity repair crews are being assisted by 140 staff from the Republic of Ireland and Scotland but NIE said it could be "several more days" before power is restored to all customers. | Electricity repair crews are being assisted by 140 staff from the Republic of Ireland and Scotland but NIE said it could be "several more days" before power is restored to all customers. |
| The situation has improved for many since Saturday morning, when 35,000 electricity customers were cut off and up to 1,000 homes were without water. | The situation has improved for many since Saturday morning, when 35,000 electricity customers were cut off and up to 1,000 homes were without water. |
| Northern Ireland Water said water supply has now been restored to most customers. However, people in parts of County Antrim and north Down may experience low pressure or interruptions to supply, as it will take the water system some time to recharge fully. | |
| Julia Carson, NIE's communications manager, said crews had worked through blizzards and high winds to carry out repairs. | Julia Carson, NIE's communications manager, said crews had worked through blizzards and high winds to carry out repairs. |
| She said a number of electricity poles had been broken and trees had fallen across power lines. | She said a number of electricity poles had been broken and trees had fallen across power lines. |
| "The weather does seem to be improving, wind speeds have dropped, but due to the extent of the damage across northern and eastern counties it may be a few days before customers are back on supply," Ms Carson said. | "The weather does seem to be improving, wind speeds have dropped, but due to the extent of the damage across northern and eastern counties it may be a few days before customers are back on supply," Ms Carson said. |
| NIE helicopter | NIE helicopter |
| "Some roads are still impassable, access has also been restricted because of drifting snow, and abandoned vehicles, they're also causing access problems for us." | "Some roads are still impassable, access has also been restricted because of drifting snow, and abandoned vehicles, they're also causing access problems for us." |
| Due to road conditions, NIE has been using a helicopter to identify damage to its power network in rural and exposed areas. | Due to road conditions, NIE has been using a helicopter to identify damage to its power network in rural and exposed areas. |
| Ms Carson said NIE patrols would concentrate on areas around Torr Head, Mallusk, Dundrod, Stoneyford and Carr's Glen in County Antrim and Craigantlet in County Down on Sunday. | Ms Carson said NIE patrols would concentrate on areas around Torr Head, Mallusk, Dundrod, Stoneyford and Carr's Glen in County Antrim and Craigantlet in County Down on Sunday. |
| Ann McCaughan, who lives in Feystown, just outside Glenarm in County Antrim has been without power in her home since 11:00 GMT on Friday morning. | Ann McCaughan, who lives in Feystown, just outside Glenarm in County Antrim has been without power in her home since 11:00 GMT on Friday morning. |
| Church services | Church services |
| She told BBC Radio Ulster: "The roads are blocked totally so there's no way that the power people can even get out to do anything. | She told BBC Radio Ulster: "The roads are blocked totally so there's no way that the power people can even get out to do anything. |
| "We've no heat, it's the same with the gas, we're running out of gas, we've no bread, we've no milk. We're running out of all these type of things," Ms McCaughan said. | "We've no heat, it's the same with the gas, we're running out of gas, we've no bread, we've no milk. We're running out of all these type of things," Ms McCaughan said. |
| In some areas, Sunday church services have been affected by the weather. | In some areas, Sunday church services have been affected by the weather. |
| Dundrod Presbyterian Church had closed because it has no electricity and the car park is "snowbound". | Dundrod Presbyterian Church had closed because it has no electricity and the car park is "snowbound". |
| Services at Ballycraigy Congregational church in Newtownabbey have also been cancelled. | Services at Ballycraigy Congregational church in Newtownabbey have also been cancelled. |
| To report a power cut, contact NIE's customer helpline on 08457 643 643. | To report a power cut, contact NIE's customer helpline on 08457 643 643. |
| Customers experiencing interruptions to their water supplies should contact Waterline on 08457 44 00 88. |