'We've battled through' - organisations count the cost of Storm Éowyn

Mike Gibb has highlighted the impact of Storm Éowyn on World of Owls in County Antrim

A County Antrim animal sanctuary is among a number of organisations in Northern Ireland still reeling from the devastation caused by Storm Éowyn, one month on.

Executive director, Mike Gibb, said that up to £10,000 worth of damage was caused to World of Owls in Randalstown by both Storm Éowyn and its predecessor Storm Darragh.

This included the destruction of four aviaries and extensive damage to three others.

Storm Éowyn brought winds of more than 90mph to Northern Ireland when it hit on 24 January.

Damage was caused to several huts at the World of Owls complex in Randalstown

The sanctuary rescues animals, as well as providing education and promoting conservation.

Mr Gibb's organisation had to borrow two electricity generators, lost £500 worth of food and relied on some goodwill and help from the community to be operational.

"Four aviaries were destroyed and three were badly damaged, but repairable," he told BBC News NI.

"We lost a good chunk of our information signage, one of our signs ended up on the other side of Lough Neagh and was found in Ardboe by a fisherman.

"We lost part of the roof of our educational classroom and one of our spare sheds was completely demolished.

"Some dangerous branches from trees are still hanging now in the staff area at outbuildings.

"We still can't use our hospital shed or our tool shed."

Mr Gibb's organisation is one of a number in Northern Ireland still dealing with the storm's aftermath.

Broadband

Trees and debris also fell on roads and the Department for Infrastructure told BBC News NI that it had "cleared over 2,300 reported obstructions, including hundreds on motorways and class A, B and C roads".

It said on Friday that it was "not aware of any roads across Northern Ireland that are impassable".

In total 285,000 households and businesses in Northern Ireland lost power during the storm and damage was caused to various buildings. Broadband services were also affected.

On Sunday, a remaining 600 Fibrus customers were still without broadband, who, the company says are being scheduled for individual service visits, "which we expect to complete over the coming days".

"Customers who have been out of service due to damaged fibre are entitled to compensation, with enhanced compensation for those who have still been without service this week," a Fibrus spokeswoman said.

Hawk rescued

Many information signs at the World of Owls site were damaged or lost

Mr Gibb said the sanctuary had taken weather advice in preparation for Storm Éowyn, and had "boxed up the vulnerable animals".

"We came down on the morning and the storm was blasting away," he added.

"A hawk was sitting in the aviary and all the external walls with wooden panels had blown down, but he was still in there.

"We were able to get the hawk out of the way, we saved it."

With only one emergency generator, protecting food supplies was a challenge.

"I am not a spark [electrician] and one generator was not enough, for what we needed," he added.

Generators were sold out, but two local businesses kindly lent them units.

The centre was able to open the public the week after the storm, but they are still clearing up some of the debris left in its wake, with the help of volunteers.

Emotional impact

Mr Gibb also reflected on the emotional impact of the storm.

"It was very stressful, it is hard running the place, but the weather is an added anxiety," he said.

"My wife and I have battled through.

"With the animals, they don't have anyone else, there is no-one else to do it, we have to do it."

Facilities exposed

Part of the roof at Bangor's Aurora Leisure Centre was damaged during the storm last month

Elsewhere, the roof of Bangor's Aurora leisure centre in County Down was significantly damaged during Storm Éowyn, and repairs are continuing.

Chris Kelly, is contract manager for Northern Community Leisure Trust, which operates the facility on behalf of Ards and North Down Borough Council.

The roof at the facility had previously been damaged by Storm Arwen in November, 2021.

Chris Kelly says the focus is on adapting to the current circumstances, as best as they can

Mr Kelly explained the impact of the recent storm on services.

"There was a part of the roof blew off with this storm, it was the opposite end of the roof that blew off in 2021," he told BBC News NI.

"This one, Storm Éowyn, left exposed the sports hall, the outdoor changing room, the administration office, the storage room, the squash courts.

"The soft play area also had to be closed off as that side of the complex is the fire evacuation route."

These facilities are all still closed off to the public.

The swimming pool, leisure waters, café, health and fitness gym and classes are all fully operational now, but were "out of action" for a week initially.

The impact of the recent storm can still be seen in Northern Ireland in some parts, such as the Stormont estate in Belfast

'Hands of the gods'

Mr Kelly praised the council for its support in getting contractors on site in a timely manner to repair the damage.

"The roof is still being repaired," he said.

"The contractors arrived on site at 14:15 on the day of the storm, once the red weather warning had gone to amber.

"They have been on site since, making it safe and watertight."

However the repair is an ongoing process that will take "months".

The focus is on adapting to the current circumstances, as best as they can.

"The disappointing thing is the number of clubs that are affected, this is not just revenue, it is about community use, so many clubs are affected," Mr Kelly said.

"You can never fully prepare for things, we have 1.1 million visitors a year.

"We do all that we can, but in relation to the weather and storms, you are in the hands of the gods."