LIVE: Tens of thousands of Limerick homes without power due to 'unprecedented damage' in Storm Éowyn
'Extreme, damaging and destructive winds associated with Storm Éowyn have so far caused widespread and extensive damage to the electricity network across the country'
TENS of thousands of Limerick homes, businesses and farms lost power in the early hours of the morning due to the "unprecedented, widespread and extensive damage to electricity infrastructure" caused by Storm Éowyn.
Large swathes of the city and county from Murroe to Bruree and Abbeyfeale to Doon have been left without electricity. The city has not emerged unscathed like it did during the heavy snowfall earlier this month as parts of Annacotty, Old Cratloe Road, Raheen and Mungret are without power.
The estimated restore times are currently unknown.
An ESB spokesperson said 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 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 our experience of previous significant weather events and due to the severity of Storm Éowyn, we expect that power restoration will take a significant number of days," said the ESB spokesperson.
Given the extent of the damage nationwide estimated restoration times will only be provided once their teams have assessed network faults and these will then be available to view on www.PowerCheck.ie
"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.
"An Important 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," concluded the ESB spokesperson.