ESB NETWORKS PRESS RELEASE
• 25,000 homes, farms and businesses are without power, down from the peak of 186,000 yesterday afternoon
• ESB Networks expects to restore power to most remaining homes,farms and businesses by tonight
• ESB Networks urges the public to remain vigilant, stay clear and to ring 1850 372 999 if they spot low or fallen ESB lines. They are a risk to life
• Estimated restoration times are available on the Powercheck app, www.powercheck.ie and www.ESBNetworks.ie
Issued: 12:30 pm, Thursday September 2018
ESB Networks crews have this morning restored power to 14,000 further homes, farms and businesses that lost supply due to the impact of Storm Ali. At the height of the storm yesterday afternoon, 186,000 customers were impacted, and efforts continue throughout the day to restore power to as many of the remaining 25,000 customers as possible.
All available resources from ESB Networks are deployed to carry out repairs to the network and restore power. Additional crews from less impacted areas of the country are deploying in the worst impacted counties, which include counties Sligo, Galway, Longford, Westmeath, Cavan and Louth.
We expect that most of the 25,000 customers without power at present will have their supply restored by tonight.
An Important Public Safety Message: There are over 1,000 locations where Storm Ali has damaged our networks meaning that there is extensive damage with low hanging and fallen lines nationwide. We are particularly appealing to farmers and landowners to be vigilant as fallen trees or branches may have fallen on or be leaning against electricity wires. Please do not approach or touch the wires, trees or branches, as they are extremely dangerous. Report immediately to 1850 372 999.
Real time information on power outages and restoration times is available at: www. powercheck.ie with further information available at: https://www.esbnetworks.ie/power-outages-updates/latest-updates
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.
A further update will issue later today Thursday.
Images from Storm Ali can be downloaded here; https://www.flickr.com/photos/esb_group/albums/72157701244588834
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