Thousands without clean drinking water as another storm looms

As another Atlantic storm bears down on the country today threatening to bring flooding in its wake, tens of thousands of homes could face days without clean drinking water thanks to the 170km/h storms that battered Ireland on Wednesday.

Last night, it emerged that in Cork alone, the water supply in up to 80 parts of the county may be contaminated and Irish Water and Cork County Council cannot say when a boil notice will be lifted.

Limerick County Council was also forced to order a widespread boil water notice as a precaution, though by last night it had managed to guarantee a clean supply to a number of areas.

In Clare, the local authority had to send tankers of water to five towns.

Cork City will be on tidal flood alert tonight, with heavy rain, a high tide, and a storm surge combining to threaten the city centre with its third flood in less than 12 days — its fourth this year.

Business and homeowners in low-lying areas have been warned to take precautions with the risk of flooding highest between 5pm and 7pm. Road and street closures will begin at 4.30pm with parking and access restricted until 6.30pm. The council will not distribute sand bags but said it has a limited stock of gel bags.

Met Éireann confirmed Wednesday’s Storm Darwin was the worst storm depression to hit the country since Christmas 1997, and one of the five most powerful ever seen here.

ESB crews will this morning battle to restore power to up 80,000 homes and businesses. It is feared some customers could be without electricity for several days. Dunmanway (11,690) in West Cork and Thurles (14,009) in Tipperary, had the largest number of people still without power yesterday evening.

Meanwhile, the Government informed the European Commission yesterday Ireland will not look for money to help pay for the damage caused by storms over the past few weeks. The decision caused surprise especially as the latest storms increased the likelihood of the country qualifying for up to €11m in grants.

Environment Minister Phil Hogan has until February 20 to change his mind.

Insurance Ireland has said it could be three weeks before its members could estimate the full cost of the latest storm.