Approximately 30,000 households remain without power, with some expected to be without electricity over Saturday night, in the wake of Storm Betty.
Storm force winds caused damage to the network on Friday – affecting just over 70,000 homes, farms and businesses.
Blustery this afternoon with a mix of cloud and sunny spells along with scattered showers🌬️🌥️🌦️
Fresh and gusty southwest winds will be strong at times in coastal areas🌬️
Winds will ease in most parts this evening🍃
Highs of 18 to 22 degrees🌡️ pic.twitter.com/n7xPfBvN6H— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) August 19, 2023
As of early Saturday evening, ESB networks said that 30,000 of their customers remain without electricity – and the severity of the damage means that some will remain without power overnight.
ESB networks said that all available resources have been deployed and crews will continue to work late into the night to restore electricity.
People are urged to stay clear of fallen electricity wires.
Damage from the storm has also felled trees, blocking roads and in some cases damaging vehicles.
Customers without power can check for real-time updates on when their fault is expected to be repaired at powercheck.ie.
An ESB Networks statement said: “All available resources are being deployed to respond to all electricity outages where safe to do so.
“ESB Networks crews have been working since first light and will work through this afternoon into this evening to restore power to as many customers as possible.
“A significant number of impacted customers will have their power restored by this evening.
“However, due to the scale of the damage to the electricity network, some customers in localised areas may remain without supply overnight.”
All Met Éireann weather alerts have now been lifted.
Flooding on Friday night caused traffic disruption on some roads across Co Cork and there were frantic scenes in Co Waterford as a boat broke free from its berth and crashed into a harbour in Dungarvan.
A number of matches and outdoor events were cancelled on Friday night and Saturday morning, and emergency crews in the south of the country cleared debris including fallen trees.
Blustery this afternoon with a mix of cloud and sunny spells along with scattered showers🌬️🌥️🌦️
Fresh and gusty southwest winds will be strong at times in coastal areas🌬️
Winds will ease in most parts this evening🍃
Highs of 18 to 22 degrees🌡️ pic.twitter.com/n7xPfBvN6H— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) August 19, 2023
On Saturday morning the Castletownbere lifeboat was launched in gale force winds to go to the assistance two sailors whose yacht got into difficulties on the northern shore of Kenmare Bay in Co Kerry.
The yacht had been anchored off Dromquinna and, as the storm became increasingly strong, the vessel dragged anchor and became stuck on a rock.
The sailors were concerned and raised the alarm with the Irish Coast Guard in Valentia stating that they were requesting immediate assistance.
The yacht was subsequently located on a rock south of Dromquinna but, with the rising tide, volunteer lifeboat crew were able to attach a tow rope and pull the vessel clear.
Paul Stevens, lifeboat operations manager at Castletownbere RNLI, said: “When the crew returns this afternoon, they will have spent over 10 hours at sea in challenging conditions – demonstrating their very strong commitment to the lifeboat service.”
Police are appealing to drivers to exercise caution on the roads this morning pic.twitter.com/orV76W383v
— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) August 19, 2023
In the North, the PSNI warned motorists to be aware of hazardous driving conditions.
A spokesperson said: “Police are continuing to appeal to road users to continue to exercise caution this morning in all areas of the country, as high winds and rain can make driving conditions difficult.
“There are also reports of trees down on a number of roads.
“Motorists should continue to proceed carefully and at lower speeds, bearing in mind the impact of this weather on stopping distances and braking.
“Please also heed any road closure signage.”
