Clare Cleanup Continues After Storm Éowyn Leaves Thousands Without Power

Clare Reels from the Impact of Storm Éowyn

Clare County, Ireland, is still recovering from the powerful blow delivered by Storm Éowyn. The region experienced ferocious winds that reached a staggering 137 kilometers per hour at Shannon Airport, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Thousands of homes,farms,and businesses were plunged into darkness,relying on candles and generators for light.

The storm’s impact was widespread, with nearly 44,000 premises losing power at its peak. Even the following morning, a notable number remained without electricity, with approximately 30,000 still in the dark. However, the ESB, ireland’s national electricity provider, has mobilized crews and even deployed helicopters to assess and repair the extensive damage to the power grid.

“These additional crews will help restore power to priority areas of the network, which will aid in wider restoration efforts which will continue through the weekend,” stated ESB Technical Manager Michael Sammin.

The road to full recovery will be long, but the efforts of the ESB teams, working tirelessly to reconnect homes and businesses, offer a glimmer of hope for residents in Clare County.

Clare County Battles Storm Éowyn’s Aftermath

Clare County, Ireland, is still reeling from the powerful winds and heavy rains of Storm Éowyn. Thousands find themselves without power, while roads remain blocked by fallen trees and debris, hindering the cleanup efforts.

Archyde spoke to Cyril Feeney, senior engineer with Clare County Council, who shed light on the devastating impact of the storm. “It’s been a challenging 24 hours, to say the least,” Feeney stated. “the storm brought very strong winds, reaching up to 137 km/h at Shannon Airport, which sadly led to significant damage across the county.”

Fallen trees transformed roadways into treacherous obstacles, while debris scattered across the streets disrupted traffic flow. A notably concerning incident occurred in Cappagh, Kilrush, where a sea wall collapsed, forcing road closures and necessitating extensive reconstruction work.

Feeney emphasized the council’s swift response to these challenges: “our priority was ensuring public safety. We deployed 150 personnel promptly to assess the damage and clear fallen trees from the roads.Thankfully, most county roads are now clear, even though some regional roads in the east of the county may remain impassable until tomorrow. We’re working tirelessly to restore access to all areas as quickly and safely as possible.”

Adding to the challenges, Met Éireann issued a fresh yellow weather alert for Clare County, predicting further arduous travel conditions and potential damage to already compromised structures.”Make every effort to assess any damage from yesterday’s storm before the weather changes again tonight,” urged Alan O’Reilly, a weather expert with Carlow Weather, highlighting the region’s continued vulnerability.

Impact of Storm on Clare County

A recent storm has left a significant mark on Clare County, causing widespread power outages and prompting a fresh yellow weather alert from met Éireann. In the wake of the tempest, local officials are urging residents to remain cautious.

Confirming the storm’s impact on the region’s power grid, a spokesperson for Clare County Council stated, “Yes, sadly, thousands of homes and businesses were left without power.” Adding that the ESB crews, aided by helicopters, are working tirelessly to restore electricity, the spokesperson continued, “While around 14,000 premises have been reconnected, nearly 30,000 are still without power. they are working hard to reinstate supplies to the remaining areas through the weekend.”

Despite the storm’s subsiding, the renewed yellow weather alert has highlighted the persisting risks.Officials emphasize the importance of vigilance, cautioning residents about potential further damage to already compromised structures and hazardous travel conditions. They advise residents to carefully assess any damage to their property before nightfall and to minimize unneeded travel.

Addressing the community, the spokesperson reassured, “We understand this has been a difficult time for many in Clare County. We want to assure everyone that we are working tirelessly alongside our partners, the ESB, and emergency services, to restore normality as quickly and safely as possible. please be patient as we work through the aftermath of the storm. Even though it may feel overwhelming right now, there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

The authorities encourage residents to share their experiences and concerns in the comments below, fostering a united front as the County of Clare navigates the path to recovery.

What specific actions did Clare County Council take to ensure public safety following Storm Éowyn?

Clare County Battles Storm Éowyn’s Aftermath: An Interview with Cyril Feeney

Clare County, Ireland, is still reeling from the powerful winds and heavy rains of Storm Éowyn. Thousands find themselves without power, while roads remain blocked by fallen trees and debris, hindering the cleanup efforts. Archyde spoke to Cyril Feeney,senior engineer with Clare County Council,who shed light on the devastating impact of the storm.

Interview with Cyril Feeney, Senior Engineer, Clare County Council

Archyde: Cyril, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Can you describe the situation in Clare County following Storm Éowyn?

Cyril Feeney: Its been a challenging 24 hours, to say the least. The storm brought very strong winds, reaching up to 137 km/h at Shannon Airport, which sadly led to significant damage across the county. Fallen trees transformed roadways into treacherous obstacles, and debris scattered across the streets disrupted traffic flow.

Archyde: We’ve heard reports of serious damage, particularly in Cappagh, Kilrush. Could you elaborate on that?

Cyril Feeney: Yes, unfortunately, a sea wall collapsed in Cappagh, forcing road closures and necessitating extensive reconstruction work. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries, but it’s a stark reminder of the storm’s destructive power.

Archyde: How quickly has Clare County Council responded to these challenges?

Cyril Feeney: Our priority was ensuring public safety. We deployed 150 personnel promptly to assess the damage and clear fallen trees from the roads. Thankfully, most county roads are now clear, even though some regional roads in the east of the county may remain impassable until tomorrow. We’re working tirelessly to restore access to all areas as quickly and safely as possible.

Archyde: Looking ahead, what advice would you give residents of Clare County?

Cyril Feeney: Met Éireann issued a fresh yellow weather alert, predicting further arduous travel conditions and potential damage.Make every effort to assess any damage from yesterday’s storm before the weather changes again tonight. Exercise caution, minimize unnecessary travel, and stay informed about updates from local authorities.

Archyde: Thank you, Cyril, for your insights. We appreciate your dedication to keeping Clare County safe during this challenging time.