*A fallen tree in McNamara Park, Ennis.
OVER 800 homes and businesses in Clare remain without power following Storm Darragh.
It has been a long weekend for some homes across the county which have remained without electricity since Friday night and the arrival of Storm Darragh which brought gusts of 120km/h in Shannon and higher in coastal parts of the county.
Clare County Council crews successfully managed to clear fallen trees and debris from roads across the county’s road network on Saturday.
Different parts of Co Clare remain without power as ESB crews are still active in attempting to restore supply.
9,919 homes and businesses were without power on Saturday morning but by Sunday evening this figure has been reduced to 803. Crews are hopeful supply will be restored by 7pm on Monday.
Areas still without power and the amount of premises impacted include, Truagh (131), Kilnaboy (108), Kilmaley (86), Rineen (86), Latoon (59), Miltown Malbay (40), Maurice’s Mills (39), Killaloe (28), Ballynacally (25), Ennistymon (25), Drumquin (25), Lisroe (24), Kilmoon (22), Tulla (21), Clooney (19), Inagh (17), Kilmihil (17), Oatfied (15) and Flagmount (13).
On Sunday, power was restored to the pumping station for the Kilmaley Inagh Group Water Scheme, with water supply expected to return to all customers within the next 24 to 36 hours. The scheme is the largest of its kind in the country, it supplies Kilmaley, Inagh and Kilnamona plus parts of Lahinch, Miltown Malbay and Ennistymon.
Water supply interruptions have persisted in Cratloe and Parteen impacting on households and businesses in both villages along with Meelick and surrounding areas. An alternative water supply is in place at The Woodcross Bar in Cratloe. Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from tankers and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure.
Darragh Conneely, Operations Lead with Uisce Éireann said: “We understand how disruptive unplanned outages are and we regret the inconvenience caused as a result of Storm Darragh. We have crews in Clare who are working hard to have the water supply restored. We sincerely thank the local community for their understanding as we deal with the aftermath of Storm Darragh”.
ESB Networks have said the impact experienced from Storm Darragh is similar to that of Storm Ophelia in 2017. Crews from French counterparts, Enedis are sailing overnight and are to arrive in Ireland on Monday to assist with power restoration in the worst impacted areas. “Significant numbers will be without supply for a number of days. Due to the severity and significant scale of the damage some customers could be without power for approximately a week. Assessment of the extent of the damage is continuing,” a spokesperson told The Clare Echo.
Nationally as of 5pm on Sunday approximately 55,000 homes, farms and businesses remain without power following extremely strong and gusty winds associated with Storm Darragh ESB Networks teams have restored power to 340,000 customers impacted by Storm Darragh. Storm Ophelia left 385,000 customers without power at its peak. “We acknowledge the disruption to family and commercial life this causes, and thank customers across the country, especially those who will again remain without power overnight, for their patience as our crews work to safely restore power. If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous. Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999”.
