Be careful out there! Storm Doris has arrived

Storm Doris brought down a large tree on the Lambeg Road between Lisburn and Belfast this morning. Photo by Colm Lenaghan, Pacemaker Press

Strong, gusting winds have brought down trees in a number of local areas, and NIE engineers are working to repair damage to the electricity network in parts of Lisburn, Hillsborough and Moira.

NIE Networks reports that around 3,500 homes and businesses across Northern Ireland are currently without power.

“We are currently managing around 250 individual network faults. Planned work in all areas has been cancelled and all available operational staff are being redeployed to help repair efforts,” an NIE spokesperson said.

“Trees and branches falling onto overhead electricity lines is the main cause of the damage. There are also a number of broken poles and electricity lines. NIE Networks continues to assess the extent of the damage to the electricity network and to move staff and equipment to where they are most needed.”

NIE Networks is reminding customers never to approach broken lines or damaged poles, and to keep children and animals away from them too.

Customers can call NIE’s helpline on 03457 643 643 to report faults or report online at nienetworks.co.uk. Further information on fault restoration is available on the website and via Twitter @NIElectricity.

The Met Office has issued a Yellow Warning of wind for the Province, valid from 6:30am until 8pm today.

Following reports of fallen trees and telegraph poles, and flooding on some roads, Lisburn PSNI issued the following warning to motorists: “Please be mindful of the conditions out there today and remember that wet roads can more than double the distance it takes your vehicle to stop. If there is ice on the roads those distances can increase tenfold.

“Drive to the road and weather conditions, please don’t put yourself or others at risk.”