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Storm Hannah: 10,000 without power in Kerry, Cork

Updated / Friday, 26 Apr 2019 21:56
A wind map shows the storm hitting the west and south at 8pm (Pic: Windy.com)
A wind map shows the storm hitting the west and south at 8pm (Pic: Windy.com)

At least 10,000 households are without power and flights have been cancelled as a result of Storm Hannah, which arrived in the south west from the Atlantic this evening.

ESB Networks says the areas most affected include the Iveragh and Dingle peninsulas and areas of west Cork including Macroom.

The damage is mainly due to trees falling on overhead lines.

ESB Networks repair crews are being dispatched to the affected areas.

It is expected that as the storm continues to track across the country, further outages are likely.

Meanwhile, a Status Red wind warning remains in effect for Co Clare up to 11pm tonight, with gusts of up to 150km/h expected.

A Red warning was in effect for Kerry until 8pm this evening. Kerry County Council said a significant number of trees have fallen, particularly in the south of the county.

The N22 Killarney to Cork and the N72 Killarney to Killorglin roads, are among some of the main routes affected.

Fallen trees are also being reported on a number of regional roads across the south of the county.

A spokesperson for Kerry County Council says its crews won't be deployed until it is safe to do so, when the winds ease.

Road users are being urged to avoid journeys as some of the trees will not be cleared until later tonight or tomorrow morning.

As a result of the high winds, flights have been cancelled at airports in Shannon and Kerry.

Met Éireann has warned people in Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick to be prepared for "possible disruption and power outages".

Elsewhere, a Status Orange wind warning in Cork and Limerick came into effect at 4pm and runs until 1am. 

In addition, Met Éireann issued Status Orange wind warnings for Galway, from 7pm this evening until midnight, and Tipperary and Waterford from 10pm tonight until 2am tomorrow, with gusts expected of up to 120km/h for a time tonight.

A red warning means that people should "take action to protect themselves and/or their properties".

Met Éireann says "this could be by moving their families out of the danger zone temporarily; by staying indoors; or by other specific actions aimed at mitigating the effects of the weather conditions".

Flooding is not expected, although bands of rain are likely to move in from the Atlantic. 

Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority have asked road users to exercise caution during the storm.

They have urged road users to be aware of objects being blown out onto the road and to expect the unexpected.

Status Yellow wind warning

Meanwhile, a Status Yellow wind warning has also been issued for Connacht, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Wexford, Wicklow, Offaly, Donegal, Tipperary and Waterford from 11pm tonight until 9am tomorrow, with gusts of up to 110km/h.

Dublin and the northeast of the country will escape the impact of the strongest winds. 

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Drivers are advised to allow extra space between themselves and other road users such as cyclists.

Gardaí have said that drivers of high-sided vehicles should take all necessary precautions and pay attention to the warnings.

Also people living near coastal, cliff and waterway areas, particularly those with children, are advised be extra cautious considering the gusty winds forecast.

Local councils prepare for Storm Hannah

Carmel Kirby, director of services at Clare County Council, is urging people to tie up any loose belongings ahead of expected high winds.

Ms Kirby said the local authority's teams would only be able to respond to "very severe incidents" this evening, and urged people to stay inside their homes until the worst of the winds had passed.

Senior Engineer at Cork County Council, Aidan Weir, said the public was being advised to stay away from the coast, particularly in the southwest. 

He said: "We're advising motorists to take caution and we will have crews and contractors on standby to deal with fallen trees."

Mr Weir added that there was no concern for flooding of the River Lee as "conditions for tide and surge are favourable".

Meanwhile, Kerry County Council has set up a helpline for those affected by Storm Hannah. The number is 066-7183588.

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