Thousands without electricity as Storm Chandra brings flooding and travel disruption
Members of Slaney Search and Rescue working in floodwater in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Power lines remain down and disruption is ongoing across large parts of the country this evening, with around 2,500 homes, farms and businesses still without electricity following Storm Chandra.
As of 5.15pm, the outages were primarily concentrated in the east, where heavy rainfall on already saturated ground caused widespread flooding.
Crews have been working throughout the day and will continue restoration efforts into the night. Most customers are expected to have supply restored by tonight, although small pockets may remain without power overnight.
Flooding has left a number of roads impassable, with cars abandoned and submerged in some areas. Motorists are being urged to remain alert to flooding and fallen trees this evening.
A Status Yellow rain warning remains in place for Carlow, Kilkenny, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow and Waterford until 11pm, while all counties are subject to a Status Yellow wind warning.
Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, was among the worst-affected locations after the River Slaney burst its banks, marking the 16th flooding event in the town since 2001.
Local resident Elaine Grant described how she, her daughter Casey and her three-week-old grandson were rescued from their flooded apartment by Slaney Search and Rescue, who brought an empty boat to allow essential items for the newborn to be taken.
“(The baby) slept the whole way through,” she told , as she called for long-term Government action to address flooding in the town.
The Government has announced an Emergency Response Payment to support affected households in Co Wexford.
Speaking in the Dáil, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment would activate the business and community support scheme.
“Storm Chandra has had very severe impacts,” Mr Martin said, noting that high winds and heavy rain had caused significant flooding across the country, with Bunclody and Enniscorthy particularly affected.
He said local authority teams and emergency services were on the ground, while the Department of Social Protection would provide immediate needs payments where required.
Transport services have also been disrupted. Iarnród Éireann reported delays to DART services, while a number of ferry sailings between Dublin and Holyhead have been cancelled.
Dublin Airport confirmed around 20 flight cancellations by Tuesday afternoon, warning that further disruption was possible due to strong winds across Ireland, the UK and Europe.
Met Éireann said Storm Chandra will continue to track northwards, with unsettled conditions expected to persist through the week.
Forecaster Matthew Martin warned of “further travel disruption and flooding tonight”, particularly as heavy and possibly thundery rain spreads northwards.
High river levels are expected to persist in some areas overnight, with temperatures falling to between 1C and 5C.
While a slight improvement is forecast for Wednesday, with brighter spells and temperatures of 7C to 10C, Met Éireann has warned that river flooding may continue in parts of the country despite drier intervals.
Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.
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