Fri Jan 24, 17:45: ESB Networks restore power to 143,000 homes, farms and businesses this afternoon: 625,000 remain without electricity supply
Storm Éowyn brought unprecedented, widespread and extensive damage to electricity infrastructure resulting in 768,000 customers losing supply earlier today. With Met Éireann Red and Orange wind warnings fully lifted, ESB Networks crews and partner contractors are now deployed, assessing damage at fault sites and commencing restoration
As at 5:25pm this evening, supply has been restored to 143,000 customers; however a further 625,000 remain without supply
Power restoration will continue into the evening and commence once again at first light tomorrow morning, and we expect to make good progress restoring supplies over the weekend and into next week
Given the extent of the damage nationwide, ESB anticipates full restoration will take more than a week in the worst impacted areas. Estimated restoration times (ERTs) will be provided as network faults are assessed and these will be available to view throughout Saturday and Sunday on www.
Fri Jan 24, 17:00: Uisce Éireann working to restore water supply to customers supplied by Ballymacraven Treatment Plant in North Clare following Storm Éowyn
Storm Éowyn has led to power issues at the Ballymacraven Water Treatment Plant in North Clare. The Ballymacraven Water Treatment Plant supplies drinking water to the communities of Kilfenora, Lisdoonvarna, Fanore, Doolin, Ballyvaughan and surrounding areas. Customers in the impacted areas are expected to experience reduced water pressure or loss of supply.
Customers are being urged to conserve water where possible to protect supply while outages are being resolved. There are some simple steps people can take to conserve their water, such as avoiding the use of water-intensive appliances during this time.
Fri Jan 24, 15:25: Storm Éowyn destruction
Powerful winds from Storm Éowyn has caused severe destruction across the county. Part of the sea wall has collapsed in Cappa, Kilrush. West Clare Municipal District crew are closing off a short section of the road for safety
Fri Jan 24, 13:15: Danger on coastlines remains
A red warning is still in place along the coast of County Clare.
Public are advised to stay away from the coast as much as possible as continued strong winds cause dangerous shorelines
Fri Jan 24, 13:10pm: Fallen trees, Debris and power lines
There is widespread debris on county roads, there are reports of fallen trees and damaged power lines around the county.
Authorities are asking people to treat these power lines as life and to stay away.
Fri Jan 24, 12:45: Flights resume at Shannon Airport
Flights have resumed at Shannon Airport following delays and cancellations caused by Storm Éowyn, which at its peak saw winds gust to 137 kilometres per hour.
A spokesperson for Shannon Airport confirmed that the airport is now operating a full, normal schedule. Passengers whose morning flights were cancelled are advised to contact their airlines. Additionally, passengers travelling to the airport this afternoon should also refer to their airlines for updates. Travellers are urged to exercise extreme caution due to the conditions left in the wake of Storm Éowyn.
“We deeply appreciate our passengers’ understanding and patience during the storm. Ensuring passenger and staff safety has been our top priority at all times. We are delighted to resume our full schedule of flights and look forward to welcoming our passengers,” said the spokesperson.
Fri Jan 24, 12:30: Red warning lifted in Co.Clare
The Status Red wind warning has been lifted in the majority of counties across Ireland, including Co.Clare as the damage from Storm Éowyn is being assessed around the country.
The storm brought record-breaking gusts of 183km/h and has left more than 800,000 homes, farms and businesses across the island without power.
The ESB has said that it could take “at least a week” to fully restore power across the country
As Storm Éowyn travels north, Co.Clare will remain under a yellow weather, alongside 13 other counties until 4pm this evening.
The public are urged to exercise caution if travelling outside of the home.
Fri Jan 24, 8:30am: 715,000 homes, farms and businesses are now without power
The number of homes now without power due to the impacts of Storm Éowyn has risen to 715,000.
ESB is continuing to monitor the situations but anticipates significant further outages as Storm Éowyn continues to track across the country.
Fri Jan 24, 6:00: Shannon Airport Group announce cancelled flights
A spokesperson for Shannon Airport said: “Due to the impact of Storm Éowyn, airlines have cancelled a number of flights scheduled to depart and arrive at Shannon Airport this morning. As a result, many of our morning flights have been cancelled or delayed.
“The advice for intending passengers is to contact your airline directly or refer to their airline website/mobile app. for the most accurate and up-to-date flight information. Airlines will contact passengers whose flights have been impacted as a result of the weather warnings.
“Shannon Airport remains open and our staff continue to monitor this extreme weather event. Our full schedule will resume once weather conditions permit.
Fri Jan 24, 6:00: Storm Éowyn damage impacts on 560,000 homes, farms and businesses: ESB Networks teams will commence restoring power where safe to do so
Extreme, damaging and destructive winds associated with Storm Éowyn have so far caused widespread and extensive damage to the electricity network across the country with over 560,000 homes, farms and businesses (as at 6:00 a.m.) without power. With Met Éireann Status Red and Orange wind warnings remaining in place for the entire country until later this afternoon, significantly more power outages can be expected throughout the day as the storm tracks northwards. Even at current numbers, the damage to the electricity network and impact on customers has been unprecedented.
ESB Networks continue to closely monitor the storm impact on power supplies and all available resources stand ready to mobilise once safe to do so.
From experience of previous significant weather events and due to the severity of Storm Éowyn, The ESB expect that power restoration will take a significant number of days.
Thurs Jan 23, 18:30: Farmers Urged to Take Precaution as Storm Éowyn Approaches
IFA President Francie Gorman has advised farmers to take every precaution over the next 24 hours as Storm Éowyn arrives in the early hours of Friday morning.
Gorman has advised farmers to check their farmyards and put in place whatever safety procedures are needed to safeguard themselves and their livestock until the storm passes.
“Farmers should review whatever measures they normally take when Met Éireann issues a storm advisory. Check buildings, gates, doors, vehicles and equipment to ensure they are secure,” he said.
Thurs Jan 23, 17:00: ESB Networks update ahead of Storm Éowyn: Stay safe, stay clear of fallen electricity wires
Met Éireann has forecast that Storm Éowyn will bring dangerous and damaging winds overnight and into tomorrow. At midnight tonight, the entire country is set to be placed under a Met Éireann status Orange wind warning, with Red wind warnings starting from 2am tomorrow, Friday. Extensive damage to electricity infrastructure is anticipated and widespread power outages are expected.
ESB Networks crews and partner contractors around the country are in a full state of readiness and are making all necessary preparations in order to respond.
ESB Networks crews will mobilise tomorrow, as soon as it is safe to do so, to assess the damage caused by Storm Éowyn, making the network safe, restoring electricity supply and switching customers back remotely where possible. Based on previous experience of similar windstorms, ESB Networks anticipates power restoration will take a significant number of days to complete. Given the predicted extent of the damage nationwide, estimated restoration times (ERTs) will only be provided once our teams have assessed network faults and these will then be available to view throughout Saturday on
Thurs Jan 23, 14:15pm: Clare County Council Prepares for Storm Éowyn.
Clare County Council is preparing for storm Éowyn as damage and destruction is expected throughout the county in the next 24 hours.
The Local Authority has activated a Public Contact Number from 8am tomorrow, and more than 150 staff are on standby ready to begin essential work when it is deemed safe to do so.
Clare County Council Interim Chief Executive Dr Carmel Kirby has reiterated the advice of the National Emergency Co-Ordination Team asking people to stay home, stay out of the storm and stay safe.
“We are preparing for an extreme wind event that will pose a direct risk to life and property. People are advised to stay sheltered during the red alert and we will also be asking our staff to stay home until after the red warning and then travel only when it is safe to do so.”
“Our phoneline and email will be active through the storm however and the public are encouraged to call this number to report any infrastructural damage, fallen trees or flooding. A coordination group will collate and prioritise these calls, and our response team will be mobilised after the event. Clare County Council’s offices, libraries and facilities will remain closed tomorrow, the public can continue to engage with the local authority by phone or online.”
Meanwhile Clare’s Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly added, “The Clare County Fire and Rescue Service is warning the public to stay sheltered during the Red Weather Warning, and to remain vigilant once they begin to move out again. We are expecting a lot of issues relating to fallen trees, structural damage and power outages, with tidal surges and flooding also predicted. We will be prioritising life at risk calls during the red warning period. We would advise the public to be particularly careful around fallen trees and wires and to call our colleagues in the ESB immediately in the case of a fallen wires.”
Clare Civil Defence has also been placed on standby to respond to the aftermath of Storm Éowyn if required.
The Cold Weather Alert procedure has been enacted within Homeless Services in Clare. Additional spaces are available for those who are in need over the Red Alert period.
Staff in Homeless Provision Services along with An Garda Siochana are aware of this and the supports available.
Please be advised of the Local Numbers during and after Storm Éowyn:
Fire & rescue emergencies: 999 or 112
Clare County Council: 065 6846200
ESB Emergency Services: 1800 372 999. The public can monitor www.PowerCheck.ie in regards to power restoration times. Have MPRN to hand.
Uisce Éireann 24/7 customer care centre: 1800 278 278
Clare County Council will continue to monitor the situation and react accordingly.
Continue to check https://www.met.ie for updates.
Ahead of the storm Clare County Council is advising people to ensure that their property, garden furniture, wheelie bins and other materials are secured. A special warning has been issued to owners of campers, caravans and mobile homes and people in exposed areas to ensure these properties are secured.
Thurs Jan 23, 12:30: HSE services throughout the country will see significant disruptions due to Storm Éowyn tomorrow.
A range of services in hospitals and community healthcare will be cancelled tomorrow due to the severe weather warning status red. Where people are in receipt of specialist and time critical services such as dialysis and cancer treatment, the treating unit will contact the patient directly if there are any changes to the schedule. Supports to vulnerable people at home in the community will be prioritised on an urgent needs basis during the hours of restricted travel (red hours).
Thurs Jan 23, 10:30am: Schools will close tomorrow (Friday, January 24) as winds of up to 130km/h are predicted during the storm which will last from 3am to 12 noon Friday afternoon, according to Met Éireann.
Commenting Bernard Gloster, HSE CEO said; “Our priority is to keep our patients, their families and our staff safe and unfortunately this requires us to postpone services for the day. We regret any impact this has on our patients and their families. It is important to say that we are doing all we can to ensure continuity of critical emergency services including ambulance, ED, dialysis, oncology treatment and pre-natal care for expectant mothers. If you are in any doubt or worried please contact your service, however for the most part all non-urgent outpatient appointments and community clinics are cancelled for tomorrow and will be rescheduled as soon as possible. Only HSE buildings connected to immediate and urgent service provision will be staffed during the period of the storm.”
“Finally, we would urge anyone requiring urgent emergency care to attend their local emergency department for treatment, whilst taking every precaution to keep safe on route. As always, our emergency departments provide emergency care to patients 24/ 7.”
A spokesperson for The Shannon Airport Group has confirmed that it is business as usual today at Shannon Airport. However, the airport team are preparing the airfield for the arrival of Storm Éowyn. According to the latest Met Éireann weather update, a status red weather warning will come into effect in County Clare from 03:00 Friday 24/01/2025 to 11:00 Friday 24/01/2025. A Status Orange Wind Warning is also in place for the entire country from 00:00mn to 16:00hrs Friday 24th January 2025.
“Storm Éowyn could lead to some flight disruption on Friday and we would advise passengers to contact their airlines directly for information on their flight. Our team will continue to monitor the situation as it develops and are engaging with the relevant authorities to ensure a coordinated response.
