Clean-up after Storm Éowyn continues
ESB Networks crews and partner contractors pictured on site near Dunmanway in West Cork during restoration works in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan /OSM PHOTO
Technicians from England and France are set to help restore power to homes and businesses across Ireland following Storm Éowyn.
More than 300,000 remain without power across Ireland following record-setting wind speeds.
Some 768,000 were without power during the peak of the destruction caused by the storm on Friday.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said every effort is being made to restore power and water supplies, describing the destruction caused as “unprecedented”.
As the Cork public deal with the aftermath of the damage done following Storm Éowyn, the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) met today and are continuing to ensure all efforts are made to restore power, water, telecommunications and other services to homes, farms and businesses following the storm.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have also announced that Emergency Response Hubs are to be established in areas most impacted by power outages.
In Cork, the clean up operation in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn is continuing throughout the county.
Cork County Council road crews are working continuously to clear roads of fallen trees and debris and also to assist ESB Networks and Uisce Éireann with access to essential services.
Nationally 330,000 homes, farms and businesses remain without power following Storm Éowyn.
ESB Networks is mobilising all available resources to restore power to homes, farms and businesses as soon as possible. Already power has been restored to 438,000 customers and intensive work will continue.
ESB Networks have updated www.PowerCheck.ie with the expected restoration times.
By Friday, January 31, the vast majority of those impacted by Storm Éowyn will have their supply restored. After this the remaining customers, approximately 100,000, will progressively have their supply restored over the course of the following week.
Estimated restoration times will continue to be updated as the restoration continues to progress. Weather conditions may impact on the restoration work.
Uisce Éireann repair crews are again on the ground across the country today working to restore water supplies and wastewater plant and networks.
There are approximately 109,000 customers without water as of lunchtime today, and a further are 126,000 at risk. An additional 112,000 people are now being supplied by schemes where generators have been deployed by Uisce Éireann crews.
The estimated effect of Storm Éowyn on the national telecoms userbase was the largest in Comreg’s recording history, but is improving as repair and restoration work carries on over the weekend.
As of 10:00am (Saturday, 25 January):
- Just over 140,000 Fixed Service users (5%) are affected.
- 1.25 million Mobile Service users (21%) are affected.
- Total users affected nationwide is 26%, or approximately 1.4 million.
The most impacted areas are Cork, Galway, Donegal, Mayo, Sligo, Monaghan, Cavan, Roscommon, Dublin , Meath and Westmeath.
Those affected by Fixed Service failures will likely experience full disconnection. Those affected by Mobile Service failures are unlikely to experience complete disconnection. They may experience disruption on data and voice; text messaging is much less likely to be affected.
The Department of Education has advised that schools closed on Friday due to Storm Éowyn should open on Monday, as long as it is safe to do so and power has been restored.
Schools should carry out safety checks on buildings and facilities, check for fallen wires and any other damage near the school before reopening. If a school has any issues caused by the storm, the board of management can make the decision to remain closed until it is safe to reopen.
HSE services throughout the country saw significant disruptions due to Storm Éowyn.
Updates, advice and details of further health service disruptions are available here.
The HSE will also provide regular updates through local media and on national and regional social media channels.
The Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, has confirmed that the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected by Storm Éowyn.
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme mitigates hardship by providing income tested financial assistance schemes to households affected by a severe weather event.
Nationally all road users are being advised to be aware of the dangers that may remain following the storm such as downed pylons, lines, trees, branches, and other debris which could block roads. Obey any road closures or diversions put in place by local authorities and An Garda Síochána.
Most transport services have now returned to normal. But passengers are still advised to contact their operator for the most up to date information.
Farm safety
Farmers should not put their safety at risk making repairs to buildings or removing fallen trees or branches. This should only be undertaken by operators with the skills and the personal protective equipment to carry out the work safely.
Fallen electricity wires and wires in contact with or close to damaged trees pose a particular risk in the aftermath of a storm. The ESB should be contacted immediately where electricity wires pose a risk to safety.
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