Storm Darragh live: Thousands without power after 140km/h gusts
Tomas Doherty
Thousands of people are without power after Storm Darragh swept across Ireland overnight.
ESB Networks confirmed that about 395,000 homes and businesses were without electricity on Saturday morning as a result of the storm.
Crews began assessing damage early and are restoring supply where safe to do so.
There were reports of fallen trees and debris on many roads on Saturday morning – motorists are advised to travel with caution.
A number of flight cancellations have been announced at Dublin Airport and travellers are advised to check with their airlines before travelling. Irish Rail said a fallen tree was causing disruption to the northern commuter line and some Dart services.
Met Éireann recorded gusts of 141km/h at Mace Head in Co Galway at 11pm on Friday night, while gusts of 120km/h were recorded at Shannon, Co Clare, and gusts of 115km/h were reported in Co Cork.
Some roads in Cork, Kerry and Sligo became “impassable” shortly after the storm’s arrival due to fallen trees, while other forms of debris including electrical wires posed a hazard.
ESB Networks said as of 7am, approximately 395,000 homes, farms and businesses across the country were without power as a result of the storm.
A spokesperson said their crews and partner contractors began mobilising from early on Saturday morning to assess the damage, make the network safe and restore electricity supply where it was safe to do so.
“With Met Eireann, wind warnings remaining in place for the entire country until this afternoon, further power outages can be expected from potentially damaging gusts,” they added.
“Given the extent of the storm, estimated restoration times will be updated throughout the day as fault sites are assessed and restoration work progresses – these will be available on www.PowerCheck.ie.”
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) said about 46,000 customers were without power on Saturday morning following a night of high winds.
It said damage including broken overhead power lines, fallen trees across lines and broken poles will require repair work expected to continue into Sunday.
A number of roads in the North, including Castle Street in Belfast city centre, were closed on Saturday morning while clean up work was carried out after storm damage.
Public transport company Translink said on social media: “Due to poor weather conditions all Goldliner services (including Dublin/@DublinAirport and @BelfastAirport buses) and rail services (including Enterprise services) are suspended until further notice.”
The Belfast Christmas Market is not expected to open on Saturday, depending on weather conditions, with organisers saying they need to ensure visitors and traders are kept safe.
A Met Éireann yellow wind warning covering the whole State will remain in effect until 3pm on Saturday.
In the North, the Met Office has issued an amber wind warning covering the whole region from 1am on Saturday to 9pm.
A yellow warning for wind in Northern Ireland on will expire at 6am on Sunday.