11am update - Storm Force Winds Cause Power Cuts

09/01/2008

Following the storm force winds, Northern Ireland Electricity has restored power to 18,000 customers with around 1,700 left to restore.  
 
There are currently some 200 individual faults on the electricity network, with the worst affected areas being parts of the North West, Omagh, Coleraine and Ballymena. Damage to the network was caused by flying debris and high winds, which caused broken lines and poles and damage to other NIE equipment.  
 
Up to 400 NIE staff have been mobilised this morning. NIE’s main Incident Management Centre at Craigavon is open and all 11 NIE Incident Centres across Northern Ireland are also open, reinforcing NIE’s normal capability to restore power. A helicopter is also assisting NIE with fault location.  
 
NIE Spokesperson Kerstie Forsyth said: "NIE emergency crews have been restoring customers from late last night. We had to stop work during the night for safety reasons, but our emergency crews are out working again this morning to get customers back on supply as quickly as humanly possible, consistent with safety.  
 
“The electricity network performed well in the extreme conditions. Our incident centres and call centres are fully staffed and our field staff will respond to any faults that are reported.”  
 
NIE has reminded customers of the precautionary measures to take in the event of a power cut:  
§ never approach broken lines or damaged poles and keep children and animals away - report damage to NIE on 08457 643 643  
§ turn off electric cookers, ovens, irons, etc. if electricity supply is lost  
§ leave a light switched on, so you know when power has been restored  
§ take extra care if using candles, oil lamps or other naked flames  
§ test smoke alarms with fresh batteries  
§ ensure adequate ventilation if using gas heaters  
§ customers should also ensure they have batteries for radios  
 
Kerstie Forsyth again: “Any customer wishing to report a fault, can contact NIE's Customer Helpline on 08457 643 643.  
 
“We will be issuing regularly updated information through radio news bulletins as well. The same information will be available from call handlers, recorded messages and radio bulletins.”  
 

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