Power restored to over 20,000 customers across NI following Storm Eleanor

Storm Eleanor has battered parts of Northern Ireland, leaving thousands without electricity and causing damage across the road network, with a number of trees and power lines down.

Forecasters warned lives could be at risk from flying debris as the fifth-named storm of the season arrived on Tuesday evening.

NIE say emergency teams have worked in ‘difficult’ conditions to restore power to over 20,000 customers.

Dozens of roads had to be closed due to fallen trees, with parts of the South and East badly impacted.

Over 400 incidences of weather related damage to the network disrupted electricity supplies to the southern counties of Northern Ireland.

Currently there are around 3000 customers without power and NIE say further damage to the electricity network is possible.

Julia Carson, NIE Networks Communications Manager says although there has been damage to the network, the repair process is progressing well. “The damage caused by Storm Eleanor includes power lines brought down by falling trees and poles broken by the high winds. Some areas experienced gusts of over 70mph.”

Motorists are being advised to take extra care on the roads on Wednesday morning and leave extra time for their journeys.

The weather warning was in place at amber level until 4am on Wednesday, but yellow warnings remain in place.