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ESB Networks staff have been working since early this morning to restore power. ESB Networks (Twitter)
clean up

Storm Barra: 13,000 without power and 10,000 facing water supply issues amid clean-up operation

ESB Networks said it is continuing to restore power to as many customers as possible tonight, but many will be without supply overnight.

IRISH WATER HAS said it is “making good progress” in restoring water supplies to customers around the country affected by Storm Barra.

There are Six Boil Water Notices in effect across parts of the country, with now 13,000 people also being left without power due to the impact of the storm.

ESB Networks said it is continuing to restore power to as many customers as possible tonight but “regrettably many of those without power now will be without supply overnight,” a spokesperson said.   

“It is very important that any impacted customers who use electrically powered medical devices contact their healthcare professional to make alternative arrangements if necessary.”

If you have an outage, you can check on ESB Network’s PowerCheck site when to expect your electricity to return. Customers can also check @ESBNetworks on Twitter for updates.

Further high winds last night left thousands of homes, farms and businesses across the country without power and water as the storm wreaked havoc in some areas. 

Irish Water have said that there are 11 water supplies currently being impacted by the storm, which is affecting the water of approximately 10,000 people.

Six Boil Water Notices are currently in effect, with three in Kerry, one in Cork, one in Donegal and one in Wexford. These will be reviewed over the coming days with a view to lifting the restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so, in consultation with the HSE.

In a statement, the group said water has now been restored “to the majority of customers who were without supply this morning” and it is expected that most of those still without water will see supply returning this evening and overnight.

Tom Cuddy, Irish Water’s Head of Operations, said: “Crews have been working 24/7 around the country to make the necessary repairs at plants and on the networks and we are making good progress in restoring supplies.

Alternative power supplies and generators have been deployed in some locations to get plants back into production while we are also liaising closely with the ESB to prioritise the restoration of power to plants affected by electricity outages.

The Irish Water contact centre is available 24/7 on 1800 278278, with people being encouraged to report any loss of service or leaks for Irish Water to identify bursts.

Live updates are also available at www.water.ie and on Twitter @IWCare.

Met Éireann said this evening that Storm Barra has now cleared Ireland with winds continuing to ease across the country.

An extended Status Yellow wind warning for Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo ended at 6 pm.

A Status Yellow gale warning from Belfast Lough to Carlingford Lough to Carnsore Point and on the Irish Sea will remain in place until 1 am. 

The weather forecaster said rain will clear to the northeast and showers will die out as it turns dry and calm tonight.

Frost and some icy patches will develop as winds fall off light, while cloud will increase in the west overnight with rain developing in western parts of Connacht and Munster.

Met Éireann meteorologist Aoife Kealy said: “It’ll stay generally unsettled as we head into the weekend, but winds will be much improved. On Thursday we can expect outbreaks of rain, sunshine and showers on Friday and then more rain over the weekend.”

Additional reporting by Tadgh McNally and Jane Moore

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