Andrew Carey
STORM force winds battered the county last night as the latest belt of adverses weather took its toll on travel arrangements and power supplies leaving fallen trees and debris in its wake.
Met Eireann issued a red weather alert which remains in place this Friday morning as ESB crews aim to restore power to over 70,000 homes with the South West most affected.
Newcastlewest and areas of North Kerry make up some of the areas worst affected with 25,000 homes left without power. The network shortage spreads to Roscrea, Enniscorthy, Killarney and Athlone.
Mayo and Galway also received a battering with lines down and broken poles in need of replacing.
A statement by ESB Networks said that making the network safe was the firs the priority.
“ESB Networks engineers have been monitoring this all night and have mobilised all crews in affected areas for 7am this morning and will proceed as it is safe to do so being mindful that the storm is still in full force,” it said.
“Repair work will begin as soon as it is safe for ESB Networks Network Technicians to do so, and more detailed information will be provided, as it becomes available,” the statement concluded.
Reaching gusts of up to 150km/h at times, a number of local roads in both Limerick and Clare were blocked or partially blocked with fallen trees and large branches in the worst storm in 15 years.
Motorists are urged to be extremely careful on the roads as debris and trees have yet to be cleared in some parts. Surface water also remains while more heavy rains are expected later today with thunder storms.
Meantime, travel disruptions are being experienced nationwide as train timetables have been delayed while lines are cleared.
Irish Ferries have cancelled their Swift sailings while flights out of Shannon airport have been affected.
Dublin Airport experienced a number of delays and diversions while all DART trains have been cancelled.
