Thousands Still Without Power After Storm Darragh Batters UK
Thousands of homes across the UK remain without power after Storm Darragh lashed the country with strong winds this week. Authorities warned that the disruption caused by the storm, which brought gusts of up to 90 mph, may take days to fully resolve.
ESB Continues Restoration Efforts in Ireland
In Ireland, electricity provider ESB reported that crews are continuing to work tirelessly to restore power to thousands of homes left without electricity in the wake of Storm Darragh. The company confirmed that while significant progress has been made, some areas may experience longer outages due to the extent of the damage. They assured residents that restoration work was ongoing and updates will be provided regularly.
Travel Disruption Continues Across the UK
Storm Darragh’s impact on travel is widespread, with rail delays and cancellations reported in Scotland. Authorities warned passengers to check services before traveling as the weekend approaches, and anticipate potential disruptions due to continued strong winds.
Wales Grapples with Power Outages
Wales bore the brunt of Storm Darragh, with thousands of homes reporting power outages.
The news footage showed fallen trees blocking roads and debris strewn across gardens. Local officials urged residents to exercise caution and avoid non-essential travel while crews worked to clear fallen trees and restore electricity.
Castle Douglas Residents Frustrated by Prolonged Power Cuts
In Brewery Lane, Castle Douglas, residents voiced their frustrations over extended power outages.
Some residents reported power outages lasting exceeding 24 hours, impacting lighting, heating, and essential appliances.
Community members came together to support those affected, offering warmth, shelter, and assistance where needed.
Weather Warnings Still in Place
With the remnants of Storm Darragh still presenting challenging conditions, authorities repeated warnings about the potential for further disruption, urging people to prepare for winds, rain, and potential flooding in the coming days.
How many homes in Northern Ireland are still without power due to Storm Darragh?
## Power Outages Linger Following Storm Darragh
**Interviewer:** We’re joined now by [Name], a spokesperson for NIE Networks, to discuss the ongoing power outages caused by Storm Darragh. Welcome to the program.
**Spokesperson:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** Can you tell us the latest on the situation in Northern Ireland?
**Spokesperson:** As of this morning, we still have approximately 22,000 homes without power across Northern Ireland. While the worst of the storm has passed, Storm Darragh caused extensive damage with sustained high winds on Saturday. This resulted in over 48,000 homes initially losing power. [[1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0lgg2l2x75o)]
**Interviewer:** How are you working to restore power to these affected homes?
**Spokesperson:** Our crews have been working tirelessly since Saturday to repair damaged lines and restore power as quickly and safely as possible. We know this is a difficult time for those without electricity, particularly during the winter months. We’ve set up community assistance centres across Northern Ireland to provide support to those most impacted.
**Interviewer:** Can you give us an estimate of when power will be fully restored?
**Spokesperson:** Given the scale of the damage, it’s likely that some customers may experience outages for several more days. We’re committed to keeping the public updated on our progress and appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your time and for your hard work in getting power restored.
**(End Interview)**
