ESB NETWORKS IS busy trying to restore power to the thousands of people whose homes and businesses have been affected by the recent storm – but up to 50,000 won’t have electricity tonight.
The ESB said that it will have restored power to up to 30,000 customers by later this evening, but adverse weather conditions continue to hamper its work.
ESB Networks has even drafted in crews from Northern Ireland Electricity and contractors to help, and will work late into the night again this evening and resume work at first light tomorrow.
It is estimated that between 40,0000 and 50,000 customers will be without power overnight.
Almost 3,000 ESB network technicians, engineers and linesmen have been working since early morning, battling against high winds, sleet and snow to repair power lines.
Denis Cambridge, ESB Divisional Manager for the South, explained the issues that they have been facing:
Access is a big problem, with many faults located in isolated areas where ground conditions are treacherous and often very waterlogged. It is difficult to get equipment to where it is needed most, and because many of the phone networks are down, we are finding it very difficult to communicate with crews in the field.
The weather is expected to improve in the morning, so ESB Networks anticipates that over two thirds of people currently without supply will have their electricity restored by tomorrow night.
However, approximately 25,000 people who are affected by small, isolated faults are unlikely to have their power restored until early next week.
We will continue to do everything humanly possible to get the lights back on as quickly as we can.
Customers depending on electricity for medical or other purposes are advised to make alternative arrangements.
Updates
Don’t have power? You can check for updates on www.esb.ie or 18501372999 – have your MPRN available to access recorded information specific to your location.
You can report damage to ESB Networks at 1850372999.
ESB Networks advises that people involved in the clean up operation, especially if clearing trees/timber or other debris, should be especially careful to avoid overhead lines and fallen wires.
Many of the 8,000 reported faults present hazards to the public and the ESB warns that wires should not be approached or touched in any circumstances.
Boil water notices
Meanwhile, Limerick County Council has lifted precautionary boil water notices for a further 14 water supplies throughout County Limerick.
The notice was issued yesterday as due to the storm there were concerns that water supplies throughout Co Limerick could not be treated to the standards required by the Drinking Water Regulations.
The Council has now lifted precautionary boil water notices affecting water supplies in Croom, Castletown-Ballyagran, Martinstown, Galbally, Ballylanders, Glenosheen, Athlacca Creeves, Pallaskenry, Kildimo, Cappamore-Foileen, Doon, Carrigkerry and Montpelier.
Water restrictions affecting 38 schemes in Co Limerick have now been removed since last night.
A number of smaller schemes serving a combined population of 2,333 remain on the precautionary boil water notice in Co Limerick. Testing of these areas will continue tomorrow, and it is hoped to remove most or all of them from the notice list.
Water supply to the Limerick City and its environs is unaffected and continues to be safe for drinking.
Clare
Meanwhile, Clare County Council has confirmed that power has been restored to water treatment plants and reservoirs in all areas of the county, with the exception of the Gallows Hill area of Cratloe in southeast Clare and Cloonlaheen North in West Clare.
The Local Authority, operating as agents of Irish Water, is providing water tanks to the affected areas until supplies are restored.
Tankered water is also being provided at a number of other locations while reservoir and network levels are being replenished following restoration of power.
Water tankers will be provided at these locations:
Members of the public are requested to bring their own water containers. Customers in the affected areas are also advised to boil all water from tankers.
Further updates can be found on www.clarecoco.ie.
Cork
Cork County Council has also lifted the precautionary boil water notice in some areas – for the full list, visit the council’s website.
The council is working towards being able to remove the notice in the remaining areas.
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