Cork weather: Thousands still without power, as further outages expected
Union Quay was closed to traffic earlier as Storm Bram brings an orange weather warning to Ireland’s south coast. Picture .Dan Linehan
An updated from ESB Networks said that there are now approximately 54,000 homes, farms and businesses with out power, the majority of these in counties Cork, Wexford, Tipperary, Kildare, Dublin, Meath, and Westmeath.
They said that with Met Éireann status orange and yellow warnings remaining in place, "and the dynamic nature of this event", further power outages can be expected.
"ESB Networks crews and partner contractors have been deployed to assess the damage, make the network safe and restore electricity supply in challenging conditions," said a spokesperson.
"We acknowledge the disruption to family and commercial life this causes and thank impacted customers for their patience as our crews work to safely restore power.
"We will update estimated restoration times as soon as we have assessed the network damage, and these will be available to view on powercheck.ie ," they added.
ESB Networks confirmed that as of 12.15pm approximately 22,000 properties were without power, predominantly in counties Cork, Tipperary, Wexford, Limerick and Kildare.
It said further power outages can be expected throughout the day. Keith Leonard, national director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, said: “The conditions associated with orange level wind warnings can be very dangerous.
“Potential impacts include the possibility of structural damage, fallen trees and flying debris – presenting a risk to both life and property.
“Driving can be particularly hazardous in these conditions, so I’m asking all drivers to anticipate strong cross winds and other hazards such as falling or fallen trees.
“High-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds – so please slow down and give extra space to pedestrians and cyclists.
“I’d also ask the organisers of events and activities to consider the wind warnings that are in place and monitor the local conditions – unfortunately the cancellation of events may be necessary in some locations.” The track of the storm meant forecasters put in place rolling orange wind warnings throughout the day.
The storm resulted in some travel disruption with 73 flights cancelled at Dublin Airport.
An orange warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford is in place until 4pm.
Almost 800 homes and businesses in the Mitchelstown area are without power, with an estimated return time of 12.45pm.
The ESB is reporting a power outage on the southside of the city in Grange at Trabeg, with 97 customers affected.
The estimated time of return is 1.30pm.
There is also a major fault in the Glanmire / Mayfield area, where almost 2,000 homes and businesses are expected to be without power until midday.
There are a further 10 customers impacted by outages in Kilbarry. 12.30pm is the estimated time for power to return.
Around 1,600 homes and businesses in Whitechurch are also without power this morning. It's estimated that power will be restored at 12.15pm.
A further 72 customers are affected by outages in Curraglass, with an estimated return time of 12.45pm.
There are hundreds of people also impacted by outages in the Conna and Ballynoe areas.
See powercheck.ie for the latest information.
Irish Rail has advised that the line between Ballybrophy and Templemore has reopened.
The 9am Heuston to Cork train is operating with a 50 minute delayed.
There has been extensive flooding on the outskirts of Skibbereen this morning after high tide resulted in the river Ilen breaking its banks.
However, the towns' flood relief system is understood to have held well under pressure.
The Lee Road is now closed from Prospect Hill to Wellington Bridge, Cork City Council has said.
It added that the Lee Clinic is accessible from the Wellington Bridge side, but not the Prospect Hill side.
Irish Rail has said that a tree has fallen on the railway line between Ballybrophy and Templemore.
The 8:55am Limerick to Heuston train struck the tree, and the 9am Heuston to Cork train is stopped due to debris on the line.
Crews are working to clear the line.
Both trains will resume once the tree is cleared from the line.
Cork remains under a status orange wind warning until 3pm today.
High tide has now passed.
Cork City Council has said that crews are deployed across the city and will reopen affected roads within the next 30 minutes.
They have advised motorists to drive with caution throughout the morning.
Flood waters in Cork city centre at high tide.
Cork City Council has confirmed that Wandesford Quay is now closed.
Both Lavitt’s Quay and South Terrace are down to one lane.
The 11.10am Aer Lingus London Heathrow to Cork Airport flight has been cancelled.
The 11.55am Aer Lingus Cork to London Heathrow flight has been cancelled.
The 5.20pm Aer Lingus Bristol to Cork, and the 5.50pm Cork to Bristol lights have also been cancelled.
Passengers have been advised to contact the airline.
Met Eireann forecaster Gerry Kelly said it was a day to be “very, very careful”.
He told RTÉ’s : “It is going to be a very windy day everywhere, and there is certainly a possibility for all areas to reach those levels for a time.”
He particularly highlighted a risk of coastal flooding in the south of the country during high tide this morning.
Meanwhile, warnings in Irish waters have also been upgraded with a status orange storm warning for all coasts and on the Irish sea applying until midnight.
In addition, two red marine warnings are in place between 8am and 3pm, combined with a similar advisory between midday and 8pm from Loop Head to Erris Head to Malin Head.
Keith Leonard, national director for Fire and Emergency Management, told RTÉ radio he expects a “significant impact” on power, particularly across south-western coastal areas.
Some of the impacts may include: flooding of low-lying coastal areas, especially during high tide; wave overtopping; difficult travel conditions; debris, loose objects displaced; outdoor events impacted; and power outages.
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