Thousands to be without power overnight after Storm Debi causes chaos
A Tree covers the Leeson Park Road after fallen due to Storm Debi in Dublin.
- Most schools have reopened however some remain closed due to power outages;
- Red and orange weather warnings have now passed to be replaced with status yellow alerts;
- ieExplains: What is the difference between the Met Éireann weather warnings
A woman has been taken to hospital after being hit by flying debris as Storm Debi’s trail of destruction also brought coastal flooding and widespread power outages across Ireland.
At one point on Monday morning, 100,000 people were without electricity across Ireland after heavy winds and rain from the storm.
Heavy winds and fallen trees have been reported across Ireland as local authorities moved to respond to the damage following the lifting of red and orange weather alerts.
There has been coastal flooding in Galway City and nearby Oranmore.
Storm surge knocked over a seawall and a boat was washed off moorings in Oranmore.
Council teams worked to clear the seawall and debris, which had been strewn across a road.
Downed trees and flooding were reported in Co Cavan while Louth County Council also recorded fallen power lines.
Fire crews in Meath responded to several incidents involving vehicles and fallen trees but reported no injuries.
A postwoman was taken to hospital after being hit by flying debris in County Limerick during Storm Debi, according to the postal service.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for An Post said: “Thankfully she was not seriously injured.”
An Post has adjusted schedules due to the storm and deliveries in the north, midlands, south and east of the country will be delayed due to road conditions and power outages.
Galway is used to storms but I’ve never seen boats washed up at the Claddagh before #StormDebi pic.twitter.com/weSVAflyFG
— Paul O’Brien (@PGaillimh) November 13, 2023
The ESB said it would have to work late through the night to return power to customers.
At 5:15pm, 34,000 currently remain without supply, from the peak of 100,000 customers.
However, thousands will go without power overnight, mainly in the midlands and east of the country.
An ESB spokesperson said: "All available resources have been deployed and ESB Networks crews will continue to work late into the night to restore power to as many customers as possible.
The main areas in which customers will remain without supply overnight include Athlone, Cavan, Drogheda, Dundalk, Longford, Mullingar and Tuam.
The spokesperson continued: "It is important that any impacted customers who use electrically powered medical devices contact their healthcare professional to make alternative arrangements if necessary.
"ESB Networks crews will mobilise again at first light tomorrow to restore power to all remaining customers.
"We apologise to those impacted for the disruption to family and commercial life this causes."
Brian Tapley, regional manager with ESB Networks, told RTÉ's crews expect to be working “late into the night” to restore power.
Mr Tapley added: “As soon as it is safe to do so, we will be deploying our crews.
“Obviously, the storm is still impacting different parts of the country so we’ll be slow to send out crews until it is safe to do so, but any emergency calls are being attended to.”
Mr Tapley said emergency calls have already started but added that it is too early to say how many customers will be without power overnight.
People are being warned not to touch fallen wires. The contact number for members of the public is 1800 372 999.
The network also says all available resources have been deployed, and network crews will respond to outages once it is safe to do so.
Most schools have reopened since 10am, however, some will remain closed because of power blackouts or fallen trees nearby.
The Irish national director for fire and emergency management has said Storm Debi is “probably the most intense storm” of the season so far.
Keith Leonard said: “It was probably the high winds of that leading edge of the storm as it came across the country that was the most hazardous piece. So probably the most intense storm we’ve had so far in the season.”
He said there is a “general trend” of coastal flooding, for example in Galway City and Oranmore.
He told RTÉ radio: “But, thankfully, not too much structural damage being reported at the moment.”
Forecasters had warned of a potential “danger to life” as schools and services in parts of Ireland delayed opening due to weather warnings across the island.
While the majority of the stormy weather has passed, Met Éireann is still forecasting strong winds in areas with a chance of thunderstorms and hail.
They are also warning of hazardous travelling conditions due to localised flooding and possible fallen trees and branches.
All warnings have now expired.
#StormDebi
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 13, 2023
⚠️All warnings are now status yellow
Possible impacts:
- Fallen trees/branches🌲
- Localised flooding including wave overtopping🌊
- Hazardous travelling conditions🚲🚗🚶♀️
Warning details ➡️https://t.co/nXGhrFJMwc pic.twitter.com/x6LKkscK4j
Storm Debi marks the earliest point in a storm season the letter D has been reached in the alphabet.
A Government scheme to support people living in homes affected by flooding has been extended to Co Galway following Storm Debi.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said the humanitarian assistance scheme will also be extended to other affected areas as required.
Ms Humphreys said: “I’m very conscious of the serious disruption that severe weather and flooding is causing for individuals and families in County Galway, especially in Oranmore and parts of Galway City.”
Levels of payment under the scheme depend on the relative severity of damage experienced and household income.
The scheme does not cover risks that are already covered by insurance policies or cover business or commercial losses.
Junior minister Patrick O’Donovan said the scale of the damage will be clearer later in the day.
He asked people to leave it to local authority workers and ESB workers to clear trees from the roads.
“The warning really to people that are going to go out on the roads is to stay away from trees because they could be very easily entangled with power lines and there is other risks associated with trees,” he told RTÉ Radio.
This is the fourth storm to affect Ireland since September, which saw main streets in Ireland hit by flooding after intense rain from Storms Babet and Ciaran.
The weather disrupted early morning flights at Dublin Airport, while commuters in the city saw cancellations on several services.
Services are also resuming across the Bus Éireann network.
"We are still experiencing a degree of service disruption due to Storm Debi and we would ask intending customers to check our website for service updates and to also leave additional time should you be intending to travel," Bus Éireann said in a social post.
Dublin Bus and Luas tram services have resumed in the city after being axed before 10am due to the storm however the Luas Green Line between St Stephen's Green and Balally has since closed due to a fallen tree.
A clip of EI106’s Go-Around at Dublin Airport ⬇️
— Shauns_Aviation🇮🇪✈️ (@Shauns_Aviation) November 13, 2023
Via @DubjetAviation #StormDebi #aviation #dublinairport pic.twitter.com/eLwEODIDra
The bus service operator advised services were returning on a phased basis with further disruption possible.
A speed restriction of 50kph was put in place across the entire Irish Rail network as a precaution on Monday morning.
Universities and third-level institutions have since reopened.
An Post has adjusted schedules due to the storm and deliveries in the north, midlands, south and east of the country will be delayed due to road conditions and power outages.
The UK Met Office has also issued a yellow wind and rain warning for all of Northern Ireland on Monday, while an amber warning applied to counties Down and Armagh.
The yellow warning came into effect at 3am on Monday and applies until 2pm, while the amber warning was in effect from 6am until noon.
The Met Office said heavy rain and strong winds may bring disruption and flooding to parts of the region.
It advised people to be aware that homes and businesses could be flooded and there could be disruption to bus, rail and air travel.
The agency also said fast-flowing or deep floodwater and flying debris could cause a danger to life.
Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
