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Storms prompt electricity warning High winds lead to power failures
(about 1 hour later)
Northern Ireland Electricity has warned of possible damage to the network ahead of Thursday's expected high winds. Some householders in Northern Ireland are without electricity after damage to the network caused by high winds.
Gusts of up to 70mph are expected in some parts of Northern Ireland, as the remnants of Hurricane Gordon reach parts of the UK. Supplies have been affected in parts of Belfast and County Down and gusts of up to 70mph have been forecast for some parts of Northern Ireland.
NIE's main incident centre at Craigavon will be open overnight with up to 500 people available to help restore supplies if the network is damaged. Drivers are being warned to take extra care after reports of fallen trees.
Any faults can be reported to NIE to the Customer Helpline on 08457 643 643. NIE's main incident room is open overnight with up to 500 people on call to help restore supplies. Any faults can be reported on 08457 643643.
The worst of the weather is forecast for between 2000 BST on Thursday and 0400 BST on Friday. The worst of the weather has been forecast for the hours up to 0400 BST on Friday.
NIE said field staff, engineers, contractors, call handlers and administrative staff as well as specialist equipment and vehicles would be available in the event of problems.NIE said field staff, engineers, contractors, call handlers and administrative staff as well as specialist equipment and vehicles would be available in the event of problems.
Robin Greer of NIE said: "We are keeping a close eye on the changing weather forecasts and are preparing to get customers back on supply as quickly as humanly possible consistent with safety, and to keep customers regularly updated and informed.Robin Greer of NIE said: "We are keeping a close eye on the changing weather forecasts and are preparing to get customers back on supply as quickly as humanly possible consistent with safety, and to keep customers regularly updated and informed.
"If customers do lose electricity supplies they should turn off major appliances such as cookers and take extra safety precautions, particularly if using candles or oil lamps.""If customers do lose electricity supplies they should turn off major appliances such as cookers and take extra safety precautions, particularly if using candles or oil lamps."
Golf tournament The remnants of Hurricane Gordon is to reach parts of the UK
NIE also appealed for people to do what they can to reduce the possibility of damage to the electricity system. NIE has also appealed for people to do what they can to reduce the possibility of damage to the electricity system.
They are being urged to secure items such as childrens' trampolines, which can be lifted by the wind and have caused damage to electricity lines in the past.They are being urged to secure items such as childrens' trampolines, which can be lifted by the wind and have caused damage to electricity lines in the past.
Cornwall and west Wales are expected to be hit by storms on Thursday before the so-called extra-tropical storm affects Northern Ireland and Scotland overnight.Cornwall and west Wales are expected to be hit by storms on Thursday before the so-called extra-tropical storm affects Northern Ireland and Scotland overnight.
Meanwhile, a woman has been injured at the K Club in County Kildare after a branch of a tree fell near the golf buggy in which she was travelling.
The media centre for the Ryder Cup was also evacuated as a precaution due to the high winds.
Ryder Cup organisers fear more bad weather may mean playing an extra day.Ryder Cup organisers fear more bad weather may mean playing an extra day.
The hurricane, which passed Portugal's Azores Islands in mid-Atlantic on Wednesday, has been losing power as it hit cooler waters. Hurricane Gordon which passed Portugal's Azores Islands in mid-Atlantic on Wednesday, has been losing power as it hit cooler waters.
But its impact has been felt at the major golf tournament in County Kildare, Ireland. But its impact has been felt at the major golf tournament.
On Wednesday, organisers closed the K Club to spectators due to 40mph winds and have set Monday aside as a "reserve day" over fears that bad weather could delay proceedings.On Wednesday, organisers closed the K Club to spectators due to 40mph winds and have set Monday aside as a "reserve day" over fears that bad weather could delay proceedings.
The UK has seen similar storms hit it in 2000 and 1996.
Mature extra-tropical cyclone Lili, with gusts as high as 90mph, left a reported £150m worth of damage across the UK in October 1996.