Storm Éowyn: 100,000 could be left without power into February, says ESB 

ESB Networks crews and contractors at work near Dunmanway in West Cork during restoration works in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan/OSM

Ireland has asked the EU for generators while emergency response hubs are being set up in the areas worst hit by Storm Éowyn, coming amid fears that up to 100,000 people could be without power into February.

The hubs, which will be established by local authorities, will provide basic needs such as water, hot food, phone-charging facilities, broadband access, showers, and clothes-washing facilities.

It comes amid mounting anger over the State’s response to a storm that has caused unprecedented, widespread, and extensive damage to electricity infrastructure — with in excess of 300,000 people still without electricity.

A man running from the huge waves created by Storm Herminia at Garretstown, Co Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

Telecommunications and water supplies have also been significantly affected.

Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly said there does not seem to be an appreciation in the Government of the sheer scale of the isolation and hardship in rural Ireland.

An ESB Networks crew working to restore power in Avoca Avenue in Blackrock, Co Dublin, after Storm Éowyn left one person dead, more than a million people without power, and caused significant disruption across Ireland. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

There are 300,000 people without power and heat in the West, North-West, and Midlands, and farmers in 10 counties could be unable to milk cows for up to 10 days, he said: 

I am calling on the Government to show urgency in responding to this situation. 

Aontú’s Peadar Tóibín said the Dáil should return this week to deal with the crisis.

The storm left 768,000 people without power on Friday. However, despite restoring power to more than 438,000 customers since, ESB Networks said around 330,000 homes, farms, and businesses still remain without supply.

Most will be reconnected by Friday, but it warned that about 100,000 customers will be without power into the following week.

And with more weather warnings in place for Storm Herminia, weather conditions may impact on the power restoration work.

National Emergency Co-ordination Group chairman Keith Leonard said the scale of the challenge towards recovery is “significant”. He said: 

While all available resources are being used to restore power and services as fast as possible, many people may, unfortunately, be waiting several days before normality returns.

   

   

WEATHER CENTRE

Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.