LAST UPDATE | 4 Oct 2019

POWER HAS BEEN restored to thousands of properties across the country but ‘substantial’ flooding remains in parts of the country following the passing of Storm Lorenzo overnight.

ESB Networks said its teams across the country restored power to more than 20,000 homes, farms and businesses who lost supply due to the high winds last night.

However, Donegal County Council said earlier that it is responding to a “substantial flooding incident” in the south of the county after the storm brought heavy rain. 

Emergency services were called out in the early hours of the morning to deal with a number of homes and premises that were flooded in Donegal Town, Bundoran, Ballintra, Laghey and Frosses.

Donegal County Council’s Housing Service said it is currently engaging with households displaced by the flooding “with a view to providing housing assistance and support were needed”. 

Met Éireann lifted all weather warning shortly after 1pm.

ESB said its teams restored power to more than 12,000 families overnight where it was safe to do so. 

Gusts of over 100 km/h over the course of the night caused damage to the electricity network. You can check ESB Power Checker for the latest updates in your area. 

The ESB's Power Check map of areas where there are currently power outages - 8.30am ESB ESB

A National Emergency Coordination Group meeting was held today, chaired by Minister Eoghan Murphy, to review the impact of Storm Lorenzo.

The NECG reports that there were no major reported incidents or injuries to members of the public or the emergency services, adding “there was also very little damage or destruction of property”.

Lorenzo brought some strong onshore winds, with the highest recorded at Mace Head of 89 Km/h mean wind speeds gusting up to 107 Km/h. 40mm of rain also fell over a 24 hour period in areas of the North West, with some localised heavy downpours.

Murphy thanked the public for heeding the public safety messages.

“This was potentially a very significant event that threatened public safety, the safety of our emergency responders, infrastructure and property. It was an evolving and unique weather event that made predictions very difficult,” Murphy said in a statement. 

The swift and co-ordinated response meant that people were fully aware of the threat, in good time, so that all preventative measures and precautions were taken to mitigate the threats.

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There was minimal disruption to transport in most parts, with all major airports, Iarnód Éireann and Bus Éireann operating as normal. Motorists have been warned to watch out for fallen debris on the roads.

A gale warning is still in place on Irish coastal waters from Howth Head to Hook Head to Loop Head and on the Irish Sea south of Anglesea.

Tonight is expected to be mainly dry with minimum temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees.

Met Éireann said tomorrow will start cloudy, but dry in most places. Rain is expected to spread eastwards to all areas during the day accompanied by fresh southerly winds.

A clearance following to the west around midday will extend countrywide during the late afternoon and evening and winds veering southwest will ease. Highest temperatures of  15 to 18 degrees.

Precautionary measures to take in the event of a power cut: 

•  Never approach broken lines or damaged poles, and keep children and animals away – report damage to ESB Networks at 1850 372 999 and listen to recorded messages carefully. 
• Turn off electric cookers, ovens, irons, etc. if electricity supply is lost 
• Leave a light switched on so you know when power has been restored 
• Take extra care if using candles, oil lamps or other naked flames 
• Test smoke alarms with fresh batteries 
• Ensure adequate ventilation if using gas heaters.

 With reporting from Stephen McDermott.