Update: 08:16 am
715,000 homes, farms and businesses are now without power, according to ESB.
Extreme, damaging and destructive winds associated with Storm Éowyn have continued to cause widespread and extensive damage to the electricity network across the country with over 715,000 homes, farms and businesses, as of 8:00 a.m., without power.
With Met Éireann Status Red and Orange wind warnings remaining in place for the entire country until later this afternoon, more power outages can be expected throughout the day as the storm tracks northwards.
ESB are expecting power restoration, based on experience with previous significant weather events, will take a significant number of days and that ESB Networks crews and partner contractors will be deployed when safe to do so.
Original Story:
An "unprecedented" 560,000 homes are without power this morning as Storm Éowyn rages on, according to ESB Networks.
Mace Head in Co. Galway reported gusts of 183 km/h just before 5 am this morning, which breaks the current national record which has stood for around 80 years.
The same station in Galway also recorded hurricane-level average speeds of 135 km/h which is also provisionally the highest level ever recorded by Met Éireann.
A Status Red Wind Warning has been in place for the entire country since last night.
Here in the South East, people in Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford can expect the Red Warning to be lifted at 10 am this morning while those in Tipperary will have to endure a further hour until the warning is lifted at 11 am.
With the warning in effect currently, Met Éireann is warning of the following impacts this morning:
- Danger to life
- Extremely dangerous travelling conditions
- Unsafe working conditions
- Disruption and cancellations to transport
- Many fallen trees
- Significant and widespread power outages
- Impacts to communications networks
- Cancellation of event
- Structural damage
- Wave overtopping
- Coastal flooding in low-lying and exposed areas
The country’s airports have seen numerous flights cancelled, including over 200 in and out of Dublin, while gusts of 137 km/h have been recorded at Shannon.
Public transport has been cancelled until the warnings have been lifted.
The public is advised to stay indoors while the red warning is in place, and to only travel if necessary.
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website Beat102103.com.
