ESB Networks Press Release
Storm Ali Outage Update - 5pm, Wednesday 19 September
- 126,000 customers across Ireland currently remain without power
- Some customers impacted by outages should prepare to be without electricity for up to three days
- Crews across the country continue to restore electricity outages, once it is safe to do so
- Customers who use electrically powered medical devices should contact their healthcare professional
Issued: 5pm, Wednesday 19 September 2018
ESB Networks crews continue to work hard throughout the evening to restore power to the remaining 126,000 affected customers. Throughout the day, ESB Networks has restored power to more than 60,000 homes, farms and businesses around the country.
Storm Ali hit early this morning bringing gusts in excess of 150km/h, with the storm tracking northwards over the course of the day. Fallen trees on overhead lines are responsible for most of the damage to the network. There are more than 2,000 individual faults on the network across the country.
The areas most impacted include: Cavan, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Castlebar, Galway, Portlaoise, Dundalk, Mullingar and parts of North County Dublin.
Based on our experience with previous storms, we can predict that it will take up to three days to restore power to customers affected. However, we expect that the vast majority of the 126,000 customers affected will their power restored sooner than that.
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 1850 372 999.
Customers without power can check for updates on when their fault is expected to be repaired at www.esbpowercheck.ie or on the PowerCheck App for iPhone and Android devices.
If your fault is not logged please report it at https://www.esbnetworks.ie/power-outages-updates/report-a-power-outage. Customers should have their MPRN available to access recorded information specific to their location. You can also check @ESBNetworks on Twitter for updates.
ESB Networks is reminding customers of the precautionary measures to take in the event of a power cut:
• Never approach broken lines or damaged poles, and keep children and animals away – report damage to ESB Networks at 1850 372 999 and listen to recorded messages carefully
• Turn off electric cookers, ovens, irons, etc. if electricity supply is lost
• Leave a light switched on so you know when power has been restored
• Take extra care if using candles, oil lamps or other naked flames
• Test smoke alarms with fresh batteries
• Ensure adequate ventilation if using gas heaters.
Real time information on power outages and restoration times is available at: www.esbpowercheck.ie with further information available at: https://www.esbnetworks.ie/power-outages-updates/latest-updates
View ESB Networks' video on preparing for an outage during a storm at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf8uhiZM900
Further updates will be issued at 8:15pm tonight.
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For Media Queries, please contact the ESB Press Office: 01 702 6009 / 087 2557186