Storm Ashley latest: ESB crews on the ground as power restored to majority of Cork homes
Swell caused by Storm Ashley batters the coast near church bay in Cork. Picture: Chani Anderson
As Storm Ashley powers on, a spokesperson for ESB has confirmed that supply outages across the city and county have been fully restored, save for 400 customers in north Cork.
The spokesperson further detailed that supply is expected to return to customers in the north Cork area by lunchtime tomorrow, however, some customers may be back earlier than the estimated timeframe.
Storm Ashley’s winds are predicted to begin falling as the evening progresses, but the status yellow wind warning remains in place until midnight.
A small craft warning has also been issued for all coasts of Ireland, which will stay in place until 4am on Tuesday morning, warning of west or southwest winds that will reach force 6 or higher.
More to follow.
As we progress into the latter half of the day, the effects of Storm Ashley continue to emerge with tidal flooding reported in west Cork.
According to Cork County Council, engineers and service crews have been present in Bantry since last Wednesday, and have undertaken pumping works as necessary.
Following high tide, which occurred at 7am, a spokesperson for the council said that it was the highest experienced so far in this cycle.
Assisted by the fire brigade, crews used multiple pumps to pump the flood waters, successfully preventing any significant flooding in the town, or damage to property.
The council has advised that crews will continue to monitor the situation throughout the day, and will respond to incidents as they arise.
The level yellow wind warning remains in place for Cork until midnight, with the general public reminded to stay away from exposed coastal locations.
More to follow.
Thousands of households and businesses in Cork remain without power as Storm Ashley continues to wreak havoc across the city and county.
While ESB Network crews and contractors are working to restore supply to as many homes, farms and businesses as possible through this evening, a spokesperson for the company has said significant numbers of customers are likely to be without supply overnight.
As a result of the storm, there are 53,000 customers impacted nationwide, predominantly in counties along the western seaboard.
The worst impacted areas include north Cork, Mayo, Galway, Sligo, Clare, Kerry, and north Dublin.
According to posts shared on social media by Met Éireann, winds in coastal areas of Cork have increased to speeds of up to 74kph.
#StormAshley will bring very windy conditions today with very strong southwest winds, touching storm force on Atlantic coasts with severe gusts. Coastal flooding is likely. 🌊
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 20, 2024
Showery outbreaks of rain for most, heavy or thundery at times. 🌧️
Staying drier in the southeast. ⛅️ pic.twitter.com/Lfvpi9tCTx
More to follow.
With Storm Ashley continuing to cause damage across the city and county, there are further reports of fallen trees and debris causing disruptive travelling conditions.
According to posts on social media in the last hour, there are reports of fallen trees in Kanturk, East Ferry, at Captain Boreen Bridge and Kimoney Abbey Rd, Sweeney’s Hill Rathpeacon, Ballylickey, on the N72 between Dromtarriffe Parish Hall and Dromagh School, on the N28 between Shanbally and Shannonpark roundabout, at Mardyke Walk and at Poulanargid Lissarda.
There are also reports of fallen signage on Convent’s Hill in Bandon.
Speaking to The Echo, a spokesperson for ESB said that there are approximately 135 customers without power in the city, and 4,000 in the wider county, with most of this cohort being in north Cork.
As result of a single outage in Mitchelstown there are 2,000 customers without power.
More to follow.
As Storm Ashley continues to sweep across the city and county, there are more than 8,000 people affected by power outages in Cork.
According to ESB’s online power outage map, areas in the city and county that are impacted with outages include Midleton, Carrigaline, Little Island, Béal na Bláth, Cloonbannin, Kanturk, Mallow, Fermoy, Castlelyons and Curraglass.
Further, from posts on social media, there are reports of fallen trees in the areas of Crookstown Village, Gortagoulane, between Bottle Hill and Island Rd, on the R605 near Innishannon House Hotel and on the N71 between Bandon and Clonalkilty near Gaggan.
There are also reports of cables down on the Rochestown Rd near Rochestown College.
More to follow.
With Storm Ashley having made landfall in the early hours of this morning, there are reports of high winds and difficult travelling conditions across Cork city and county.
Met Éireann, the national weather forecaster, issued a status yellow wind warning for the entire country on Friday, which is set to stay in place until midnight tonight.
As winds are gusting up to 70kph in coastal areas of Cork, potential impacts for the remainder of Sunday include coastal flooding, large coastal waves, some fallen trees and branches, and displaced debris and loose objects, leading to difficult travelling conditions.
According to posts on social media, there are several fallen trees across the city and county, including in the areas of Castlelyons near Berry Hill, the Bantry side of Drimoleague, Ardnaboha Kinsale, Old Chapel Timoleague, Whitechurch into Carrignavar, and on the Fota Road near the Arboretum.
There are also reports of a pole and tree down in Glenville, cables down on the Tramore Rd as well as debris on the N27 heading towards the city centre.
Wind observations for 1pm🍃
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 20, 2024
As #StormAshley passes today please "Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry" at all times during this event as conditions will be dangerous, especially near coasts⚠️🌊
Latest forecasts⬇️https://t.co/sFyGizB5AS
Current warnings⬇️https://t.co/w5QtJ1UyEP pic.twitter.com/f36VPPNjVq
Fota Wildlife Park has announced they are closing early due to the strong winds, and in the interest of the safety for animals, staff and visitors.
The weather forecast for Cork remains very windy for today, with strong to gale force and gusty southwest winds, as well as severe and damaging gusts on the west coast.
Coastal flooding is also likely due to very high tides, with rain predicted for a time as well.
Highest temperatures will reach from 12 to 15 degrees, dropping to as low as 6 to 11 degrees tonight.
It will continue to be very windy as we progress through this evening, with showers expected early tonight.
Winds are predicted to gradually moderate overnight.
More updates to follow.
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