Storm Éowyn: A Severe Blow too Ireland’s infrastructure
Storm Éowyn, a tempest of unprecedented intensity, has pummeled Ireland, causing widespread destruction and disruption to essential services. The full extent of the damage is still unfolding, but the storm’s wrath is already being felt across the country.
telecommunications services have been significantly impacted, with eir reporting approximately 26,000 fixed voice faults and 63,000 fixed broadband faults. “This has left approximately 160,000 homes and businesses without broadband connectivity,” the company stated. Further compounding the situation, outages at approximately 30% of mobile network sites have left many without mobile connectivity. “ESB has confirmed that at least 725,000 homes and businesses are currently without power,” eir explained, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
The energetic storm has left a devastating mark on Ireland’s electricity grid, with ESB reporting widespread damage across the network. An estimated 725,000 homes, farms, and businesses are grappling with power outages, including approximately 20,000 in Cork alone. “The damage nationwide to the electricity network and impact on customers is unprecedented,” ESB stated,highlighting the scale of the crisis.
Efforts are underway to restore power and connectivity. eir has deployed backup power to 1,300 fixed networks sites and 200 mobile network sites, with mobile generator deployment underway where safety permits. ESB Networks teams are working tirelessly to assess the network damage and restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Though, with the extensive damage caused by Storm Éowyn, restoration is expected to take days, and possibly more than a week in the worst-affected areas.
“it is expected that there will be a important number of individual faults in addition to this, but the full impact of this will only become clear after power is restored and after resolution teams have prioritized making fallen poles and lines safe,” eir stated. Each individual fault will require a separate repair visit, adding to the complexity of the restoration process.
The storm has also severely hampered train travel. Iarnrod Éireann reports that currently, the only operational train in Ireland is the Cobh to Midleton line in Cork, as crews work relentlessly to clear fallen trees from the rest of the network.
The resilience of the Irish peopel will no doubt see them through this challenging period.In the meantime, authorities are urging caution, emphasizing the extreme danger of fallen electricity wires. “Never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely perilous,” ESB warns. Anyone who comes across damage to the electricity infrastructure is advised to report it immediately by calling 1800 372 999.
Storm Éowyn Leaves Trail of Destruction Across Cork
Cork County and City councils are facing the aftermath of Storm Éowyn, with roads blocked, fallen trees, and power outages affecting residents across the region.
Cork City Council crews have been working tirelessly since this morning, clearing debris and restoring access to vital routes. By this afternoon,over half of the 20 roads blocked overnight had reopened. Their efforts are focused on removing fallen trees and debris, ensuring the safety of residents.
“There are multiple hazards on streets, roads and footpaths and the public is asked to report any incidents to the Council’s Emergency Line on 021 4800048. The number will be available today and throughout the weekend,” advised the council.
Cork County Council reported over 35 roads currently blocked, creating challenging conditions across the county. Fallen trees, power lines, and debris are posing significant risks, prompting the council to urge residents to avoid unneeded travel.
Priority is being given to reopening key routes, including the R586 Ballineen to Bandon road, the R600 Kinsale to Ballinspittle road, and the R612 Carrigaline to Crosshaven road. Thankfully, the M8 Blackwater Viaduct, Fermoy, and the N71 near Glengarriff Golf Club have reopened.
The council has also confirmed that phone lines and emails are currently down at several offices, but residents can contact the Emergency Line for urgent matters.
While the storm’s intensity has subsided, the impact continues. Residents are advised to stay informed through official channels,monitor updates from Cork city Council,Cork County Council,ESB Networks,and Uisce Éireann.
Emergency services can be reached at 112 or 999, while ESB Networks can be contacted through their 24-hour emergency number, 1800 372 999 or 021 2382410.
Power outages can be tracked on powercheck.esbnetworks.ie, and water supply updates can be found on www.water.ie.
Roads Impacted by Storm Éowyn
Storm Éowyn has brought strong winds and heavy rain across Cork, leaving a trail of disruption in its wake. Several roads are currently closed or partially blocked due to fallen trees.
R586 by Carhoon West: Travellers heading from Ballineen to Bandon will face a road closure as a large tree blocks the entire stretch.
Ballygarvan: A tree partially obstructing the entrance to the Ballygarvan quarry is causing delays for drivers.
Further closures and blockages have been reported in various locations, including:
- Twomileinn to Mogeely
- R512 between Glanworth and Kildorrery
- R619 Coachford near the GAA Pitch
- N71 Smorane, Skibbereen to Leap, with one side of the road blocked
- Quarry Hall Grenagh
- Mallow Golf Club, with the road completely blocked by a fallen tree
Emergency services are particularly concerned about access to Crosshaven, which is completely blocked due to a fallen tree at Drakes Pool Rabbit Island.
Drivers are urged to exercise extreme caution and avoid unnecessary travel if at all possible. Road conditions are rapidly changing, and fallen trees may not be immediately visible.
storm Éowyn Batters Cork with Power outages and Dangerous Road Conditions
Cork County is facing the brunt of Storm Éowyn, with thousands left without power and numerous roads rendered dangerous or impassable due to fallen trees. The relentless wind, under a Status Yellow Wind warning in effect until 4:00 PM, has wreaked havoc on the region’s infrastructure.
The Irish energy provider,ESB,confirmed thousands of homes and businesses across Cork are grappling with power outages. The extent of the outages nationwide, impacting over 715,000 customers this morning, overwhelmed the ESB power check website, causing temporary technical difficulties. As of now, the website is back online.
“Our Customer Contact Center Agents will be supporting customers throughout Storm Éowyn, but will not be in a position to provide outage information until the network assessment has been fully conducted,”
ESB stated. They also issued a crucial public safety message: ”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.”
Cork City Council has issued several warnings about hazardous road conditions. Roads across the county are facing challenges due to a high number of fallen trees, making them dangerous or impassible. One particular area of concern is Burkes hill from Mayfield GAA to N8 Lower Glanmire Road, which is currently closed due to a fallen eir pole.
Simultaneously occurring, the council is actively working to clear fallen trees in Glen Avenue, North Ring Road near Shannon Lawn, and Silver Heights.
Storm Éowyn Brings Downed Trees and Disruptions to Cork
Cork County and City were bracing for the impacts of Storm Éowyn on January 24th, 2025, with widespread reports of fallen trees and power outages affecting travel and daily life.
Cork County Council responded swiftly, mobilizing crews at 10am to assess the extent of the damage. “We are strongly advising the public not to travel as it will be some time before we get a full picture of the number of trees down,” a council spokesperson warned.
The R600 Ballinspittle to Kinsale Road was temporarily blocked by a fallen tree, and reports of downed trees also emerged in numerous other areas, including Glengarriff, Skibbereen, the Ballineen to Bandon road, Carrigadrohid, Crosshaven, Fivemilebridge, Cobh, Cloyne, and Killavullen.
Meanwhile, the M8 Blackwater Viaduct in Fermoy, a key transport route, reopened to traffic after being initially closed due to storm-related damage.
Cork Airport authorities confirmed that flight operations resumed, although some services experienced delays. Passengers were advised to contact their respective airlines for the most up-to-date flight information.
Communication disruption hampered efforts in some areas, with phone lines and emails down at Cork County Council offices in Cobh, Clonakilty, Skibbereen, schull and Bandon. the council urged the public to use their Emergency Line at (021) 4800048 for urgent matters.
Cork City Council reported similar challenges. “Please bear with us as we mobilise to respond to the impacts of Storm Éowyn. Calls and incidents are being monitored, logged and prioritised. Our Severe Weather Assessment Team continues to monitor the situation,” a statement read.Crews were attending to a fallen tree on the footpath at Bowling Road.
Storm Damage Disrupts Cork Public Transportation
Cork residents woke up to the aftermath of a powerful storm, with transportation services across the city facing significant disruption. The storm, which issued a Status Red warning, caused widespread damage, leading to major disruptions for both rail and bus services.
“No trains operating until further notice,” announced iarnrod Éireann, Ireland’s national train operator, in an update at 10:39 am. “As Status Red clears, our crews are mobilising to check & clear lines for safe operation. However, we expect many fallen trees, damage to level crossings / overhead lines. We will update as soon as routes open.”
Bus Éireann also reported extensive service disruptions, with operations expected to be impacted until around noon. “We hope to begin operating services again from approximately 12.00 on most routes, however, disruption is expected due to tough driving conditions because of storm damage,” they stated.
Bus Éireann provided a detailed schedule for the resumption of services, with some routes returning to full service at noon and others facing staggered restarts throughout the afternoon. For exmaple, routes 201, 203, 203, 205, 206, 207/207A, 208, 209/209A, 212, 213, 214, 215/215A, 216, 219 and the 220/220X are scheduled to resume full service at 12:00. Other routes, such as the 223, 225, 226, 233, 235, 236, 237, 239, 240, 241, and 243 will have their first trips departing at various times between 11:15 am and 15:30 pm.
The storm’s impact on Cork’s transportation system highlights the vulnerability of infrastructure to extreme weather events.As communities rebuild and recover, it is essential to invest in resilient infrastructure and emergency preparedness measures to minimize the disruptions caused by future storms.
Your Essential Guide to Bus Schedule Changes
If you’re planning a trip by bus, you’ll want to be aware of some upcoming schedule changes.Several routes will see alterations to their first departure times, impacting your travel plans.
Let’s dive into the details:
Local Bus Service Updates
For local bus routes, expect some notable changes to your morning commutes. The 245 route, connecting Cork and Fermoy, will see its first departure from cork at 11:30, followed by a return trip from Fermoy to Cork at 12:30. The 14:15 departure from Clonmel to Cork remains unchanged. The 245X route, departing from Cork, will also be adjusted with the first trip leaving at 12:00.
The 248 route, serving the Cork to glenville route, will have its first departure at 13:20. Meanwhile,the 257 route from Killarney will commence its journey at 15:00.
If you’re heading from Macroom, the 16:25 departure remains as scheduled.
The 260 route’s first trip from Youghal to Cork will depart at 12:30. The 261 route, connecting Ballinacurra to Cork, will have its first departure at 11:08, followed by another departure at 12:15.
Killarney to Tralee and Beyond
Bus routes serving Killarney and Tralee will also see schedule adjustments. The 270 route, traveling from Skibbereen to Killarney, will depart at 12:00. However, please note that the 12:00 Kenmare/Killarney trip is canceled.
The 271 route, making its way from Tralee to Killarney via Castleisland, will embark at 12:45.
Other routes impacting Tralee are:
The 272 route, running from Tralee to Ballybunnion, will depart at 12:05.
The 275 route, connecting tralee to Dingle, will depart at 12:30.
The return journey on the 275 route, from Dingle to Tralee, will depart at 14:00.
The 279 route, traversing between Killarney and Tralee, will have its first departure at 12:30 (Killarney to Tralee) and 12:45 (Tralee to Killarney). The 279A route, connecting Tralee to Cahersiveen, will depart at 15:10.
the 284 route, running from Tralee to Killarney, will begin its journey at 16:15.
Expressway Service Adjustments
The Expressway services also see some changes to their first trips.
The 40 route will operate between Tralee and Cork at 12:50 and 13:30.
The 11:40 trip from cork to Waterford remains as scheduled.
The 51 route will depart from Cork to Limerick.
Several routes originating in Galway will be impacted. The 13:05 trip from Galway to Cork will depart from Limerick at 15:20, bypassing Limerick. Similarly, the 14:05 trip from Galway to Cork will operate from Ennis at 15:20, omitting the Galway to Ennis leg of the journey.Stay informed
remember to check with your local bus operator for the most up-to-date information and any potential further changes.A day after Storm Éowyn battered Cork, the city is picking up the pieces, facing a landscape of wind damage and road closures. Red warnings have been lifted, but Cork remains under a yellow wind warning, with public transport slowly resuming service.
Cork City Council is actively assessing the damage, with crews working tirelessly to clear roads and repair services. Transportation operators are cautiously reinstating routes,acknowledging it may take time to address all storm-related issues.
Fallen trees are a common sight across the region, creating hazardous situations on several major roads. Reports confirm trees down in Shanballymore, Rockchapel, at the marina, on the N22 Carrigrohane, at Spur Hill, on the N73 outside Mitchelstown, at Bear Forest Road in Mallow, Whitewell Cross, and on the R600 Ballinspittle side of the bridge in Kinsale.
Cork Safety Alerts shared an image on Twitter, showing a tree down at the Marina, blocking the walkway. “Tree down at the Marina, blocking the walkway. Take care on approach,” they warned.
Local authorities are also advising motorists to avoid the Lee Road due to a partial wall collapse, further exacerbating the traffic situation.
Residents near Blarney are facing road closures as the Killowen Road remains impasable due to a fallen tree.
The storm’s impact extends to public transportation, with routes 214 and 216 experiencing temporary changes.
Route 214, operating between Knockraha/glyntown and the city center, will take a detour via Penrose Quay and Brian Boru Bridge. Temporary bus stops have been set up at Clontarf Street, Anglesea Street (City Hall), and Sullivan’s Quay.
Similarly, route 216, running from Monkstown to the city center, will divert through Sullivan’s Quay. Temporary bus stops have been established at Sullivan’s Quay.
City officials urge residents to exercise caution while navigating the post-storm conditions,and to stay informed about ongoing road closures and transportation updates.
Storm Éowyn Brings Disruption to Ireland: Flooding, Power Outages, and Water Supply Concerns
Ireland is bracing for the aftermath of Storm Éowyn, which brought strong winds, heavy rainfall, and widespread disruption across the country. The storm,classified as a red-level warning by Met Éireann,has left a trail of flooded roads,downed trees,and power outages,impacting essential services like water supply.
Uisce Éireann, Ireland’s water utility, is working tirelessly to mitigate the storm’s impact on water services. Significant disruptions are anticipated due to power outages affecting water treatment plants, pumping stations, and other critical infrastructure. Approximately 150,000 customers nationwide are potentially facing water supply disruptions, although the majority are expected to have access to water stored in reservoirs.
“Our incident management processes have been activated, and crews are mobilizing to assess damage and restore normal supplies as soon as it’s safe to do so,” stated a Uisce Éireann spokesperson. “We’re closely coordinating with key stakeholders, including the National Emergency Coordination Group and the ESB, to prioritize the restoration of power to vital water services sites.”
While most homes have attic tanks providing at least 24 hours of water storage for hygiene purposes, Uisce Éireann urges customers to conserve water wherever possible to protect supplies during the ongoing outages. Simple conservation measures, such as avoiding water-intensive appliances, can significantly contribute to maintaining water availability. For more water conservation tips, visit www.water.ie/conserve.
Customers can stay informed about their local water supply by visiting www.water.ie, following Uisce Éireann’s X feed (@IWCare), or signing up for their free text alert service. The 24/7 customer care centre is also available at 1800 278 278.
Met Éireann predicts a mixed bag of weather for the weekend, with cold nights, frosty mornings, and scattered daytime showers. The possibility of hail and even snow in some areas adds to the unpredictable nature of the weather.
“Storm Éowyn will continue to bring strong to gale force southwest to west winds across Munster, reaching storm force this morning in coastal parts of the west, with destructive and damaging gusts,” warns Met Éireann. “The winds will gradually ease through the afternoon and evening.”
tonight will bring a mix of clear spells and scattered showers, mainly in the west, with some hail, sleet, and snow possible. The showers will become isolated later in the night. Lowest temperatures will range from -2 to +2 degrees, with frost and ice expected as winds decrease.
Tomorrow will begin frosty but will mainly be dry with sunny spells. Cloud will increase through the morning, bringing a band of showery rain into western parts, spreading eastwards through the afternoon. Sleet is also possible, mainly over higher ground. Sunshine and scattered showers will follow from the west through the afternoon, some of hail, with a chance of isolated thunderstorms.
Cork weathered the storm, escaping the worst of the severe weather that battered other parts of Ireland. While the county experienced its share of fallen trees and powerlines, authorities and residents remain relatively calm.
According to Padraig Barrett, director of services with Cork County Council, the situation is under control. “High tide peaked in Bantry at quarter to twelve last night without incident, and after that, the wind direction and winds were moving in a northerly direction,” he explained on RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland. ”So, high tide will be at twelve again this morning or later today, and we are not worried at that point in time, thankfully.”
Despite the relatively mild impact on the county, fallen trees obstructed roadways across Cork, prompting Cork City Council’s director of services, David Joyce, to advise caution.”We would advise against any unnecessary travel, but if you are travelling out in the Orange alert later to be aware of any fallen trees or debris on the roads.If you do have to travel please slow down and anticipate the unexpected.”
Early reports indicate multiple tree down situations across cork. Among the most significant incidents was a tree falling onto electrical wires between Kerry Pike and blarney. Additionally, a tree fell at Ballinrea Cross, Carriagline, disrupting local traffic. Another tree blocked the road approaching Killumney village. A partial wall collapse was also reported on the Lee Road, highlighting the severity of the storm’s impact in certain areas.
The storm’s impact was evident in the unusually light traffic seen across Cork city and county. Residents heeded warnings from multiple agencies, choosing to stay indoors and avoid the hazardous conditions.
Sunday is expected to bring another round of heavy rain and gale-force winds,leaving residents braced for another day of challenging weather.
Storm Éowyn unleashed its fury across Ireland on Tuesday, prompting a red wind warning for Cork and dozens of other counties. The warning, issued by met Éireann, predicted extreme and destructive gusts reaching over 130km/h, creating perilous conditions throughout the nation.
“maximum gusts of 130km/h were recorded across the county with up to 40mm of rainfall recorded which created multiple hazards. There are trees down right across the county and power outages for more than 20,000 homes and businesses in Cork alone,” a spokesperson for Cork County Council stated. By 8:20 am,ESB networks reported a staggering 715,000 homes,farms,and businesses across Ireland left without power.
The storm’s impact rippled throughout the nation, disrupting travel, communication networks, and daily life.Cork Airport, facing heavy delays and cancellations, urged passengers to stay updated with their airlines regarding flight status. Motorists were advised to exercise extreme caution on the roads.
Cork County Council’s Crisis Management Team worked throughout the night, monitoring the damage and urging residents to shelter in place.”A Status Red Wind warning remains in place until 10.00 am this morning and people are asked to continue to shelter in place,” the spokesperson emphasized. The county faced widespread power outages,with fallen trees and debris posing significant threats to infrastructure and safety.
Even as the red warning lifted, a status orange wind warning remained in effect until 4:00 pm. Cork County Council strongly advised against non-essential travel, highlighting the ongoing dangers of fallen power lines, telecoms infrastructure, and scattered debris.
The fierce winds and heavy rainfall that accompanied Storm Éowyn serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather and the crucial need for preparedness. residents across Ireland,particularly those in affected areas,are urged to stay informed and heed official warnings to ensure their safety.
Storm Éowyn is wreaking havoc across Ireland, causing widespread power outages, downed trees, and prompting safety concerns for the public. Almost 560,000 homes,farms,and businesses are currently without power, a testament to the unprecedented damage inflicted on electricity infrastructure by the storm.
ESB Networks,Ireland’s electricity provider,is urging extreme caution,highlighting the danger posed by fallen live wires. “If you come across fallen wires or a damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach them. They are live and extremely dangerous,” stressed an ESB Networks spokesperson. The public is urged to report any such incidents immediately by calling 1800 372 999. Restoration efforts are underway, but the spokesperson anticipates a significant number of days before power is fully restored nationwide.
“The reality is, there has been unprecedented, widespread and extensive damage to electricity infrastructure so far,” the spokesperson explained, adding, “We anticipate significant further outages as Storm Éowyn moves across the country.”
The impact of the storm extends beyond power outages. Cork County Council has closed all its facilities, including offices, libraries, swimming pools, civic amenity sites, and tourist facilities, as a safety precaution. The council is advising the public to stay away from coastal areas and roads potentially affected by fallen trees.
Uisce Éireann, Ireland’s water utility, encourages customers to visit its website or social media channels for updates and to report any issues. Their 24/7 customer care center is also available at 1800 278 278.
To stay informed about the storm’s progress and potential hazards, visit Met Éireann’s website, www.met.ie. For updates on Cork County Council services and closures, refer to https://www.corkcoco.ie/en or their social media channels @Corkcoco.
Understanding Power outages in the Wake of Severe Storms
Severe storms like Storm Éowyn can wreak havoc on electricity networks, leaving communities in the dark. While the immediate aftermath is filled with frustration and uncertainty, understanding how power is restored can provide a sense of reassurance and help manage expectations.
“Even at current numbers, the damage to the electricity network and impact on customers has been unprecedented,” a spokesperson stated, highlighting the extensive challenges faced by utility companies in these situations.
The restoration process is a methodical one, prioritizing safety and efficiency. It begins with assessing the extent of the damage to the electricity grid. “Our Customer Contact Centre Agents will be supporting customers throughout Storm Éowyn but will not be in a position to provide outage information until the network assessment has been fully conducted,” another spokesperson explained.
This assessment is crucial for determining the safest and most effective approach to restoring power. Teams first prioritize clearing fallen lines and ensuring the safety of the network. Damaged lines may need to be temporarily de-energized until they can be properly repaired.
ESB Networks, Ireland’s primary electricity transmission and distribution company, employs a strategic approach to power restoration.
They begin by focusing on high-voltage transmission and medium-voltage distribution lines, which serve large groups of customers. Power is restored remotely whenever possible from the National Distribution Control Centre using choice power lines.
Once these critical lines are stabilized, crews shift their focus to the low-voltage network, which serves individual homes and smaller communities. This phase can be more time-consuming due to the higher number of individual faults that may exist – a fallen tree, debris, or a broken pole can disrupt service to just a handful of homes. Each repair, though seemingly small, is essential in restoring power to those impacted.
The process is a testament to the resilience of the electricity grid and the dedication of the teams working tirelessly to bring light back into homes and businesses
