Executive must learn from 'Storm chaos' - McCrossan

WEST Tyrone SDLP MLA., Daniel McCrossan, has said recent severe weather events have exposed the Executive’s “utter lack of preparedness” and called for a coordinated plan to protect communities from future storms.

Speaking ahead of the Assembly debate on storm resilience, Mr McCrossan said confusion during recent storms, particularly over school closures and power outages, highlighted “serious failures in leadership, communication and basic emergency planning”.

“Families were left scrambling for information as departments contradicted each other and the Education Authority issued mixed messages on school closures," he said.

"The whole episode showed an Executive asleep at the wheel while communities in the west bore the brunt of the chaos.

“From damaged roads and flooded homes to power cuts that left older and vulnerable people isolated, people in rural areas are paying the price for years of under-investment and poor coordination.”

Mr McCrossan called for a cross-departmental review led by the First and deputy First Ministers to strengthen infrastructure and improve response systems.

“The next storm will come, the question is whether the Executive will be ready," he continued.

"We need clear communication, proper contingency planning and an honest assessment of our energy and infrastructure weaknesses. Half-measures won’t do.

“Communities deserve protection, not confusion. The Executive must finally learn from these mistakes and put a serious resilience strategy in place before lives are lost.”