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.
Update:
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) December 9, 2025
The line between Ballybrophy and Templemore has reopened.
08:55 Limerick to Heuston +24 minutes delayed.
09:00 Heuston to Cork +50 minutes delayed. #StormBram
-CL https://t.co/IXD4Gyd2RB
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.
Update:
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) December 9, 2025
A tree has fallen on the railway line between Ballybrophy and Templemore.
08:55 Limerick to Heuston struck the tree.
09:00 Heuston to Cork stopped due to debris on the line.
Crews are en route to clear the line.
Update to follow.
-CL #StormBram https://t.co/LXKYttnu5A
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.
📢 Flooding Update
— Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) December 9, 2025
Please note that high tide has now passed. Crews are deployed across the city and will reopen affected roads within the next 30 minutes.
Please drive with caution throughout the morning.@corkbeo @CorkSafetyAlert @RedFMNews @Corks96FM @corkindo @CBAcork…
Flood waters in Cork city centre at high tide.
Cork City Council has confirmed that Wandesford Quay is now closed.
🚨Flooding Notice🚨
— Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) December 9, 2025
Please note that South Terrace is now down to one lane. Crews are on site.
Please drive with caution if in the area.
@CorkSafetyAlert @corkbeo @PaulByrne_1 @corkindo @CorksRedFM @Corks96FM pic.twitter.com/fNuOtEdHYW
Both Lavitt’s Quay and South Terrace are down to one lane.
🚨Flooding - Road Closure🚨
— Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) December 9, 2025
Please note that:
Wandesford Quay is closed.
Lavitt’s Quay is down to one lane.
South Terrace is down to one lane.
Crews on site.@CorkSafetyAlert @Corks96FM @corkbeo @RedFMNews @PaulByrne_1 @CorkChamber @CBAcork
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.
#StormBram will bring very windy or stormy conditions to Ireland today.
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) December 9, 2025
Southerly winds, veering westerly through the day, will be very strong to gale force, with some damaging gusts also expected⚠️
Persistent & heavy rain at first will gradually clear to scattered showers☔️ pic.twitter.com/eKw5gUeeiR
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.
⚠Weather Warnings in effect
— Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) December 9, 2025
A status Yellow Rain Warning and a status Orange Wind Warning for Cork is now in place.
ℹ Yellow Warning in effect: 21:00 Monday 08/12 to 09:00 Tuesday 09/12
ℹ Orange Warning in effect: 07:00 Tuesday 09/12 to 15:00 Tuesday 09/12
Cork City Council… pic.twitter.com/YxwrHln9tf
#StormBram dragging up some very mild air with Ireland one of the warmest spots in Europe this morning, up to 16c. The main bad of rain has cleared a little quicker than forecast and less than 15mm since midnight is the good news. Winds picking up now though. pic.twitter.com/1YstsnNtvd
— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) December 9, 2025
⚠️Please be advised that Macroom Christmas Market has regrettably been cancelled due to the Status Orange Weather Warning in place for Tuesday 09th of December.
— Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) December 8, 2025
Cork County Council regrets any inconvenience caused. pic.twitter.com/nGzreC5fN8
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