Storm Éowyn: 715,000 homes without power in Ireland after record gusts hit
Storm Éowyn: 715,000 homes without power in Ireland after record gusts hit
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Electricity board says power cut ‘unprecedented’ and more expected as extreme winds continue to cause damage. More than 715,000 homes are without power in Ireland as Storm Éowyn continues to batter the island of Ireland, with record speed gusts of 113mph recorded in Galway.
The Electricity Supply Board said the extent of the power cut was “unprecedented” and would get worse. “We anticipate significant further outages as Storm Éowyn continues to track across the country,” the company said. “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 at 800am) without power.”.
ESB said it could take a week to restore supplies to all homes and premises. The island is under a red weather alert with Met Éireann warning that the winds, which are moving from the south to the north and east have not reached their strongest yet. It said that the 183km/h (113mph) had been recorded at Mace Head, County Galway, at 5am, just above the previous record high of 182kmh set in January 1945 in Foynes, County Limerick.
It also reported the mean wind speed record of 131km/h (81mph) set in 1945 in Foynes had been broken during the storm, with up to 135km/h (84mph) at Mace Head at 4am. The dangerous conditions have prompted authorities to warn people to stay indoors because of risk to life and property from falling trees and flying debris.
