Businesses Without Electricity As Storm Barra Reaches Northern Ireland

As predicted Storm Barra hit our shores today and it has caused quite a few problems with some residential areas and businesses without power as we write this article. It is estimated that around 4,000 homes and businesses have been without electricity so far, with the strong gale force winds likely to carry on well into the evening and through to Wednesday morning.

The Networks Are Weathering The Conditions Pretty Well So Far

The main affected areas here have included Dungannon, Craigavon, Newry, Downpatrick, Newtownards and Coleraine. NIE Networks have claimed that the networks have weathered the conditions pretty well overall, with the storm not having as great an impact as they first feared. Let us hope they are right and the worst of the storm has passed.

There have been notifications coming through of fallen trees and electricity poles blocking roads up and down the country, but fortunately nobody seems to have received any injuries up to press. The public have been praised for their response to Storm Barra as everyone seems to be acting responsibly and not taking any unnecessary risks.

Keep Mobile Phones Well Charged

The authorities are urging everyone to keep their mobile phones well charged in case of any power disruptions in their particular area and to call the emergency services if there is any threat to life. They ask people to stay at home unless they really have to go out to work, but if they do go out to be responsible and stay safe.

Omicron Strain May Be Less Dangerous To Health

Meanwhile the latest reports regarding the new variant of Covid-19, Omicron, suggest that this strain may not lead to as severe symptoms as the delta variant has done, but nevertheless it is highly infectious. Reports suggest that there could be up to 1,000 infections a day in the UK of the Omicron variant, but so far there doesn`t appear to have been any really severe reactions to catching this virus, although it is very early to project too much into this. Scientists do say that usually later forms of any virus do tend to cause milder symptoms to people, so let us hope this is how this strain will pan out over the next few weeks.

Critics of the latest restrictions have jumped on this data and are claiming that the authorities have moved too quickly to bring in new measures which are impacting both on businesses and peoples social activities. How quickly the government will respond to any new data will be crucial in the run up to Christmas.