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Gales cause power cuts and closed roads across Northern Ireland Gales cut power and close roads across Northern Ireland
(about 7 hours later)
More than 1,000 Northern Ireland Electricity customers are still without power as storms continue to batter Northern Ireland. NIE has said it has restored power to 10,000 customers after storms battered Northern Ireland from Wednesday afternoon.
High winds sweeping across the countryside have brought down trees with some roads flooded by heavy rain. NIE said at least 100 homes were still without power, but that number could rise as people wake and call in to report cuts.
NIE said its emergency crews were on stand-by to deal with further cuts. High winds sweeping across the countryside brought down trees with some roads flooded by heavy rain.
The Newry area has been badly hit with winds bringing down railings, chimneys and trees. The gales are expected to continue overnight. NIE said its emergency crews were on stand-by to deal with further faults.
Gusts of up to 80mph are expected in some areas. The company's spokeswoman Julia Carson said: "Our emergency crews worked through the night, carrying out repairs in areas where it was safe to do so.
At one point on Wednesday evening, 2,000 customers were without electricity. "The winds peaked at 80mph, causing damage to the network.
SDLP MLA Karen McKevitt said NIE was working to restore power to the Newry area while the DoE had been attempting to keep roads open. "We may need to take some customers off supply this morning to facilitate network repairs but our teams will be working from first light to restore all customers as quickly and safely as possible."
"It just seems that the wind has come up from the Warrenpoint direction and taken a few Christmas trees down and cut power supplies," she said. The Newry area has been badly hit with winds bringing down railings, chimneys and trees.
"It has caused some damage to chimney tops, trees have fallen and there are roads closed around the area. SDLP MLA Karen McKevitt said: "It just seems that the wind has come up from the Warrenpoint direction and taken a few Christmas trees down and cut power supplies," she said.
"The weather has been predicted for this evening. Trees can be replaced, so let's hope everyone is kept safe here this evening." "It has caused some damage to chimney tops, trees have fallen and there are roads closed around the area."
NIE spokeswoman Julia Carson said the company's emergency crews and engineers were working to assess the damage and carry out repairs.
"However, some customers may be without electricity overnight as it is not safe for NIE field staff to carry out repairs while the winds remain at a high level," she said.
"Our emergency crews will continue to work where it is safe to do so. We were prepared for the storm and have already restored over 5,000 customers to power since the winds swept across Northern Ireland this afternoon.
"We are expecting the winds to peak in the early hours of the morning, causing additional disruption to electricity supplies."
In County Westmeath in the Republic of Ireland, a woman was killed when a tree fell on her car. Elsewhere in the country, eight other people were injured as gales felled trees and damaged buildings and left thousands of premises without electricity.In County Westmeath in the Republic of Ireland, a woman was killed when a tree fell on her car. Elsewhere in the country, eight other people were injured as gales felled trees and damaged buildings and left thousands of premises without electricity.
In County Donegal alone, 7,500 homes were without power late on Wednesday.In County Donegal alone, 7,500 homes were without power late on Wednesday.
The highest warning in the Republic - a 'status red' - had been issued. It means action should be taken ahead of the storms. A 'status orange' warning - which means to be be prepared - was issued for counties Cavan and Clare.The highest warning in the Republic - a 'status red' - had been issued. It means action should be taken ahead of the storms. A 'status orange' warning - which means to be be prepared - was issued for counties Cavan and Clare.
NIE customers who lose their power supply can contact a helpline on 08457 643 643 or report the fault online at nie.co.uk.NIE customers who lose their power supply can contact a helpline on 08457 643 643 or report the fault online at nie.co.uk.
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