Worst storm in living memory

Worst storm in living memory

29 January 2025

THE warning was ominous ahead of Storm Éowyn making landfall last Friday morning.

An unprecedented red warning issued by the Met Office advised people to stay indoors as the ferocity of the storm posed a significant threat to life.

Five days on from the worst storm in over 25 years — which left a trail of destruction in its wake — work is continuing to restore power to hundreds of homes across the district. 

At the height of the ferociously frightening storm, several hundred thousand homes across the province were left without power and many local areas 

still have no electricity this morning in the Killyleagh and greater Downpatrick areas in particular.

NIE says it is endeavouring to restore supplies as soon as possible.

The power cuts also impacted many businesses, especially in rural areas, some of whom lost expensive stock in chillers and freezers, with frontline health workers braving the extremely challenging and dangerous conditions to assist vulnerable people at home.

Hundreds of trees brought down powerlines and dozens of roads were blocked as Storm Éowyn barrelled its way across the district, changing the face of the landscape.

The scale of the damage was unprecedented with the first ever red weather warning resulting in the closure of schools, businesses and shops, with town centres left eerily quiet as people heeded the advice to stay indoors.

Bus services were suspended and GP and hospital appointments cancelled with mercilessly high winds of hurricane proportion damaging properties and leaving thousands of people left without electricity.

No part of the district escaped unscathed, with the worst winds since 1998 making landfall during the early hours of last Friday morning with the red alert coming into force at 7am.

Leisure centres, church and community halls opened to provide shelter, heat and comfort for those who had last power.

Yesterday, Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons unveiled details of a £1m financial package to support those impacted by Storm Éowyn during a visit a community assistance centre in Carryduff.

He has acknowledged the challenges faced by those most affected by the storm and emphasised his commitment to providing support to those most in need.

“Storm Éowyn has caused devastation and my primary concern is the safety and well-being of all those affected, particularly children, the elderly and people with vulnerabilities,” he said.

In what has been billed the “storm of the century” the hurricane-like winds were unforgiving.

The Downe and Downshire Hospitals in Downpatrick were powered by generators after the main electricity supply failed.

Over 100 trees were blown down at Rowallane Garden in Saintfield.

A huge number of trees were also felled at the Castle Ward estate on the shores of Strangford Lough and at Ballynahinch’s Montalto estate.

The scale of the damage was such that a number of roads remained blocked for several days as those involved in the emergency response across a number of government and local council departments were overwhelmed.

Farmers helped to clear fallen trees from a number of rural roads while the main road from Ballynahinch to the Temple and the the Saintfield to Carryduff road were closed due to fallen trees.

The major clean-up operation is expected to take a few more days to complete with motorists advised to take care, especially while driving on rural roads.

Meanwhile, local people still without power are being advised to check for status updates at www.nienetworks.co.uk, or call the NIE Networks Customer Helpline on 03457 643 643.