Storm cuts power to more than 15,000 electricity users

The first major storm of 2008 swept into the West of Ireland on Tuesday, 8th January. Winds recorded were in excess of 130 kph caused damage to the electricity network cutting power to more than 15,000 customers. The damage was further exacerbated by a severe lightning storm that targeted the south west of the country cutting power to more than 5000 electricity customers at its height.

ESB Network crews were on standby following a severe weather warning from Met Eireann. The lightning storm was concentrated along the West Cork and Kerry coastlines, moving in around lunchtime the lightning took out lines and transformers across the region. The lightning then moved northwards causing power cuts to hundreds of users in the midlands during the early evening. The eye of the storm was just off the Galway coast by nightfall.

The storm then took a turn northwards and moved in across Sligo and Donegal where it caused the most damage. Trees and telegraph poles were uprooted by the severe winds that moved inland just before midnight on the Storm cuts power to more than 15,000 electricity users night of January 8th cutting power and telephone to thousands of users. ESB Crews worked through the night ensuring the safety of the network and the public as the winds continued to cause damage along the North West coast.

The crews moved in to begin restoring power to the estimated 15,000 users without power at first light on 9th January. The worst affected areas were Gweedore, Fanad and the Inishowen Peninsula all in Co Donegal. Extra resources were moved in from neighbouring counties to help with the restoration.

In excess of 5,000 customers had power restored before lunchtime and crews worked into the night to get power back to the remaining 10,000 customers. A number of customers affected by localised faults across County Donegal were without power for a second night. Power was restored to the last of the affected customers on January 10th.

ElectricAid