More than 40,000 NI homes still without power after Storm Éowyn

Around 40,000 properties are still expected to be without power by Tuesday evening, Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has said as the extensive repair works after Storm Éowyn continue.

In an update, Ronan McKeown from NIE told the BBC that even with the help of specialist engineers from England, it could still be February 3 before all properties were reconnected.

Northern Ireland Water said that around 600 properties were still without water on Tuesday morning.

With 1,000 people from NIE working on the ground, including 100 from overseas, Mr McKeown said that 250 generators had been supplied to vulnerable customers.

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On the question of a goodwill compensation payment to customers, Mr McKeown said that conversations were continuing with the Stormont Executive and the Utility Regulator.

He warned customers should not expect any form of payment in the short term, noting this was also the case in England and Scotland where it would take some time to process the data.

With around 150 schools sustaining damage, seven schools were still reported as closed on Tuesday.

Gary Curran from NI Waters said the majority of the 600 properties without water were in the west of Northern Ireland, but that 360 vulnerable customers had water delivered to them and plans were in place to deliver 17 generators.

A total of 11 Community Assistance Centres and over 60 drop-in centres are open until 7pm to help those without power.