More than 100,000 Irish homes and businesses were left without power on Monday morning, November 13, after Storm Debi made landfall.
Storm force winds associated with Storm Debi caused considerable damage to the electricity network overnight, predominantly in the West, Midwest, Midlands, and Northeast of Ireland, ESB said in a statement on Monday morning.
The damage, ESB said, is mainly attributable to lightning and fallen trees on overhead lines as a result of the high winds.
As of 10:30 am on Monday, 80,000 homes, farms, and businesses are without power. Most impacted counties include Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath, Meath, Cavan and Louth.
At 7:45 am this morning, approximately 100,000 customers were without electricity.
ESB said all available resources were deployed as Storm Debi clears the country and ESB Networks crews are currently in the process of assessing damage, making the network safe, and repairing electricity supply where safe to do so.
Crews expect to restore power to the majority of impacted customers through today Monday. However, due to the scale of the damage to the electricity network, some customers in localised areas will remain without supply overnight.
ESB says that 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.
A Status Yellow Wind and Rain Warning was issued by Met Éireann for every county in Ireland lasting until 3 pm on Monday, with winds reaching up to 130 k/hr during the morning.
A Status Yellow Gale warning from Belfast Lough to Howth Head to Hook Head and on the Irish Sea remains in effect until 5:30 pm on Monday.
⚠️All warnings are now status yellow
Possible impacts:
- Fallen trees/branches🌲
- Localised flooding including wave overtopping🌊
- Hazardous travelling conditions🚲🚗🚶♀️Warning details ➡️https://t.co/nXGhrFJMwc pic.twitter.com/x6LKkscK4j
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 13, 2023
In an announcement before the storm made landfall, Met Éireann warned of extreme winds "with potential danger to life" and issued Status Red weather warnings for 14 counties in Ireland. The warnings have since expired.
Schools throughout the country also delayed opening on Monday morning due to the weather warnings.
Department of Education advises schools in counties under Orange and Red weather warnings will not open before 10am tomorrow based on advice of the National Emergency Co-Ordination Grouphttps://t.co/7790UtaHcs
— Department of Education (@Education_Ire) November 12, 2023
Storm Debi also had a major impact on transportation services around Ireland, with four outgoing flights canceled at Dublin Airport by 7 am.
A clip of EI106’s Go-Around at Dublin Airport ⬇️
Via @DubjetAviation #StormDebi #aviation #dublinairport pic.twitter.com/eLwEODIDra
— Shauns_Aviation🇮🇪✈️ (@Shauns_Aviation) November 13, 2023
The Luas said there would be no Red or Green Line services before 10 am, while Irish Rail said there are speed restrictions and delays on all of its services.
Bus Éireann and Dublin Coach also canceled a number of services on Monday morning.
An Post delayed the opening of its services in certain areas on Monday until 11am. A postwoman has been hospitalized after being struck by flying debris in Co Limerick, but An Post said the woman's injuries were not serious.
Due to the severe weather and in the interest of the safety of our colleagues and customers we will delay opening our Post Offices until 11am in counties with a red weather alert. #StaySafe
— An Post (@Postvox) November 13, 2023
Fallen trees have been reported across the country, while there has been coastal flooding in Galway City and nearby Oranmore.
Galway is used to storms but I’ve never seen boats washed up at the Claddagh before #StormDebi pic.twitter.com/weSVAflyFG
— Paul O’Brien (@PGaillimh) November 13, 2023
#StormDebi left her mark on #Salthill and #Galway overnight.
(Video: Enda Cunningham) pic.twitter.com/ycvJexawny
— Connacht/CityTribune (@CTribune) November 13, 2023
A number of residents were trapped in a cul-de-sac in the Cam area of Edgeworthstown, Co Longford after several fallen trees blocked their exit route.
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