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Electricity still lost to homes after blizzards Electricity still lost to homes after blizzards
(35 minutes later)
Thousands of homes are still without power and many roads are impassable after severe weather affected much of the UK during the weekend.Thousands of homes are still without power and many roads are impassable after severe weather affected much of the UK during the weekend.
In Scotland several thousand homes were affected after snow and strong winds damaged cables.In Scotland several thousand homes were affected after snow and strong winds damaged cables.
In Northern Ireland some households in remote areas have been warned it could be several days before their supplies are reconnected.In Northern Ireland some households in remote areas have been warned it could be several days before their supplies are reconnected.
The Met Office issued a warning for ice as temperatures remain low.The Met Office issued a warning for ice as temperatures remain low.
It warned of lying snow melting and then refreezing overnight - leading to icy patches across much of the UK.It warned of lying snow melting and then refreezing overnight - leading to icy patches across much of the UK.
Also strong to gale force winds will affect some roads, especially over high ground, where snow drifts have accumulated.Also strong to gale force winds will affect some roads, especially over high ground, where snow drifts have accumulated.
Cold with bitter easterly winds, causing drifting of lying snow. Dry for most with some sunny spells, though generally cloudy across the south. Some sleet or snow flurries, mainly across northeastern parts of the UK and perhaps southern areas too. BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood said there would be snow showers, mainly across north-eastern parts of the UK on Monday, and most areas would be bitterly cold.
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) said about 2,000 homes were still without power on Sunday night after prolonged blizzards since Friday. She said the easterly, gusty Arctic wind would send temperatures plummeting to -4C in Newcastle and -2C in London.
NIE spokeswoman Sara McClintock said: "Unfortunately small numbers of customers will be off overnight in isolated rural areas. These are areas that we have still been unable to reach by road. "West is best today," she said. "There will even be some sunshine."
"We have been using a helicopter [on Sunday] to deliver teams and limited equipment in these areas and we have commissioned an additional helicopter for [Monday] to help us access the faults." It will stay cold for the rest of the week, with bitter winds and snow showers. It could mean the first white Easter in five years.
'Like an ice rink'
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) said about 950 homes in remote areas are still without electricity. More than 140,000 properties have been affected by the severe weather in total.
NIE's Julia Carson said: "We've been using a helicopter to patrol remote circuits, and we've also commissioned an additional helicopter today, and they're going to actually drop NIE emergency crews, engineers and some materials into these areas."
Specialist rescue teams were deployed to help vulnerable people or those isolated in rural areas in Northern Ireland. Emergency oxygen supplies had to be airlifted to an elderly man who was snowed in without electricity.Specialist rescue teams were deployed to help vulnerable people or those isolated in rural areas in Northern Ireland. Emergency oxygen supplies had to be airlifted to an elderly man who was snowed in without electricity.
Parts of south west Scotland and the isles of Arran and Kintyre were particularly badly hit by power cuts on Friday. Electricity engineers are still working to reconnect about 3,500 homes on Kintyre and 1,500 on Arran.Parts of south west Scotland and the isles of Arran and Kintyre were particularly badly hit by power cuts on Friday. Electricity engineers are still working to reconnect about 3,500 homes on Kintyre and 1,500 on Arran.
Fraser Henry, a manager at the Kilnoch Hotel in Blackwaterfoot, on the isle of Arran, said an emergency centre for local people had been set up in the hotel.Fraser Henry, a manager at the Kilnoch Hotel in Blackwaterfoot, on the isle of Arran, said an emergency centre for local people had been set up in the hotel.
'Like an ice rink'
"The main problem we have is the amount of snow that fell. The roads are dreadful, the roads that have been cleared the snow has melted and is now just freezing over and the whole place is like an ice rink."The main problem we have is the amount of snow that fell. The roads are dreadful, the roads that have been cleared the snow has melted and is now just freezing over and the whole place is like an ice rink.
"Our hotel has had an old generator for 60 years. We're trying to keep that going at the moment so there is a warm place for the medics, the mountain rescue and the local fire brigade."Our hotel has had an old generator for 60 years. We're trying to keep that going at the moment so there is a warm place for the medics, the mountain rescue and the local fire brigade.
"We've been told it could be Friday before we get the supply back.""We've been told it could be Friday before we get the supply back."
Neil Young, a firefighter on Arran, said about 100 people a day had been taking advantage of his fire station's offer of hot food and drink, and shower facilities.Neil Young, a firefighter on Arran, said about 100 people a day had been taking advantage of his fire station's offer of hot food and drink, and shower facilities.
About 1,500 properties in Dumfries and Galloway are also waiting to be reconnected following a weekend of snow, blizzards and heavy winds.About 1,500 properties in Dumfries and Galloway are also waiting to be reconnected following a weekend of snow, blizzards and heavy winds.
Hundreds of people in Cumbria are also still without power and several main roads remain closed.Hundreds of people in Cumbria are also still without power and several main roads remain closed.
The weekend saw roads closed, sporting fixtures cancelled, and airports disrupted.The weekend saw roads closed, sporting fixtures cancelled, and airports disrupted.
In the Peak District, Derbyshire, Laura Boddy said she had been cut off for the last two days.In the Peak District, Derbyshire, Laura Boddy said she had been cut off for the last two days.
"We certainly started running out of milk earlier on, and bread, but we managed to get out to a farm by walking over and through the drifts."We certainly started running out of milk earlier on, and bread, but we managed to get out to a farm by walking over and through the drifts.
"In fact at times we had to walk on top of walls because that was the only clear space we could get to. It's still very snowy, thankfully the wind has now died down a bit but there have been drifts that are seven or eight feet high.""In fact at times we had to walk on top of walls because that was the only clear space we could get to. It's still very snowy, thankfully the wind has now died down a bit but there have been drifts that are seven or eight feet high."
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