Storm Floris: Almost 3,000 homes and farms without power as Ireland misses worst of the storm

Irish Independent

5 hours ago

A major repair campaign is underway by ESB Networks crews with all households, farms and businesses expected to be reconnected by early on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for the ESB said as of 5pm, about 2,700 homes, farms and businesses across the country are without power.
'Crews will continue to work late into this evening with a view to restoring supply to the vast majority of impacted customers by tonight,' said the ESB.
Despite the power cuts and travel disruption across the northwest, Ireland avoided the worst of Storm Floris which battered Scotland as it swept towards Scandinavia.
Storm Floris was expected to bring winds gusting to 160kmh over Scotland - with Scottish authorities warning that the storm poses a potential risk to life.
Flights, ferries and even road transport via high span bridges were severely impacted across Scotland.
Several flights were cancelled in Northern Ireland because of the powerful wind gusts.
A number of public attractions in coastal areas of Ulster were closed because of Storm Floris.
The storm hit Ireland in the early hours of Monday morning with Status Yellow wind and rain warnings in place from 2am until 4pm for coastal counties in Connacht and Ulster.
Most power outages were caused by fallen trees - with councils and ESB Networks officials concerned that the powerful storm was hitting at precisely the time trees were most vulnerable while heavily laden with leaves.
Winds peaked slightly below 100kmh off the north Galway coast.
Ultimately, officials were relieved that the damage caused was far less severe than initially feared.
The most extensive of the power cuts hit the Tuam area of Galway where over 3,000 customers lost power.
In total, more than 10,000 homes and businesses lost power at the height of the storm though the vast majority were set to be successfully reconnected by Monday evening.
Storm Floris - the sixth Atlantic storm of the season - had a far greater impact on Scotland where it caused chaos for transport systems.
All high span bridges across Scotland were closed amid fears of damaging wind gusts while ferries and flights were also disrupted.
Water Safety Ireland have urged people to be careful near the coast over the next 24 hours.
People have been warned to exercise maximum caution in the sea after the storm passes as currents could be exceptionally strong in the wake of the storm surge for some time.
The RNLI and the Coast Guard have already warned about strong rip tides in some areas.
Storm Floris had no impact on the major outdoor events taking place in other parts of Ireland including the All Together Now festival at the Curraghmore Estate in Waterford which attracted 30,000 revellers.
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann opened on Sunday and will run for the next week in Wexford.
A staggering 750,000 people are expected to attend the fleadh over its week-plus event of competitions, exhibitions and street entertainment.
Other major events taking place in Ireland over August bank holiday weekend included the Dublin Book Festival, the Breakwater Festival, the Spraoi Street Art Festival and the Mary from Dungloe Festival.
Met Éireann said Ireland will have mixed weather in the wake of Storm Floris.
"Tuesday will bring a lot of dry weather overall, with spells of sunshine. There will be a scattering of showers for a time, mainly further north with highest temperatures of 15C degrees in the north to 21C degrees further south."
Tuesday night will be dry and clear with lowest temperatures of 10C to 14C.
"Wednesday will bring some spells of sunshine for a time, the best of these in the east. Overall there will be a good lot of dry weather for much of the day, though it will turn increasingly cloudy, with some well scattered showers developing in the afternoon and with rain and drizzle moving into western parts later."
"Highest temperatures on Wednesday will be 17C to 20C with the day turning breezy with southerly winds."
Wednesday night will see winds persist as temperatures won't fall below 12C to 16C.
"Any remaining rain in parts of the east and southeast will soon clear to leave a good lot of dry weather overall on Thursday, with sunshine, but with scattered passing showers too and highest temperatures of 16C to 20C."
"Friday is likely to bring a good lot of cloud overall with some showers though there will also be some bright or sunny spells with highest temperatures of 16C to 20C."
Met Éireann indicated that next Saturday will prove a fine day with dry weather and spells of sunshine though some areas will experience a few showers.
Rain will clear over Saturday night and Sunday will prove a mix of sunshine and showers.