Five days on from Storm Éowyn and the lives of some people in parts of Northern Ireland are still on hold amid the impact of the ‘red level’ weather conditions.
Residents of a rural village in Co Armagh are among those still living with no electric, fallen trees or lack of phone signal since Friday when the storm first hit.
As NIE battles to fix damaged power lines and work is ongoing to clear blocked roads, people living and working in Clady are hoping that normal life will resume soon.
Johnny Guy is principal of St Michael’s Primary School in the village, which has been forced to remain closed since Friday due to no electricity.
Speaking to The Irish News on Tuesday, he told of how work had been ongoing to help the school’s 80 pupils forced to stay at home.
“NIE have been working tirelessly to resolve what is a very difficult situation for all involved,” he said.
“There has been effective communication between NIE, local councillor Bróna Haughey, school and the wider community.
“Teachers are sending home learning activities to their children. Unfortunately, some families are still unable to access these due to having no power or Internet connection.
“Our local Gaelic club, Clady GFC, and our church are all on the same grid so also remain without electricity. This has impacted any possible contingency plans.
“EA and I have discussed relocating if the situation continues. This is not ideal but we will explore all options that may help children’s learning and families returning to some sense of normality.
“The Clady community are a close-knit and resilient people, so there has been extensive offers of support and looking out for each other.
“A recent update gives us hope that we will have the lights on and doors open again very soon.”
Tanya Connolly, her husband and four children were among those forced to gather round the fire in recent days after their electric went out and temperatures began to fall.
“At first it was a bit of a novelty, we were toasting bread on the fire and my Dad came round and was telling the kids stories and telling how this used to be the old way of doing things,” she said.
“We got the board games out, thankfully they came in handy after getting some at Christmas, so it was all grand on Friday.
“We just gathered round the fire and we have the gas top on the cooker so were able to sort hot water bottles and we got the kids cosied into bed.
“On Saturday, we didn’t leave the house as we were afraid to travel as it was still dangerous with the trees down in the Clady area. We just sat it out in the house.
“Then by Sunday, it had got really cold, minus four, and the house was really cold. We knew we couldn’t stay any longer so we got packed up and went to Kieran’s parents’ house, they had electric and everyone was able to get bathed and warmed up.”
Ms Connolly said it was a “big relief” when their power was restored on Monday, but with the electric still off at the school, they remain holed up at home.
“It’s certainly been a different few days for the children, they’re missing school and the routine of everything that usually goes on,” she said.
“It’s been a big change for them.
“But we know there’s lots of work going on to get the electric back on and we’re hopeful it won’t be long before we’re back to normality.”
Sinn Féin councillor Bróna Haughey praised the efforts of those involved in helping local communities, such as Breague and Ballymacnab, and is hopeful power will be restored soon in Clady and Darkley.
“It has been very difficult times for people and the public has been very helpful and patient over the last few days,” she said.
“These are very remote, rural areas and this has had a big impact, but my thanks to NIE and NI Water and those who have helped to restore services.”
