• Serious damage has been caused to the electricity network by Storm Ophelia 
• Customers impacted by outages should prepare to be without electricity for a number of days
• Crews across the country are deployed and are dealing with emergencies and restoring power to customers, where it is safe to do so

Issued: 8:15 pm, Monday 16 October 2017

Approximately 330,000 electricity customers remain without power due to the impact of ex-hurricane Orphelia on the electricity network. Fallen trees on overhead lines are responsible for most of the damage to the network.

The majority of customers who have lost supply at present will be without power overnight and over a number of days. Based on previous experience of Storm Darwin in 2014, where about 280,000 customers were left without supply, ESB can predict that it will take a number of days to restore power to all customers. Five to ten per cent of this number will be without power for up to ten days.

ESB are advising all customers impacted by outages that they should prepare to be without electricity for a number of days. ESB Networks are particularly concerned about customers who use electrically powered medical devices and who are without power. It is important that these customers contact their healthcare professional so that they can receive advice on their care during this period.

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.

ESB are currently prioritising emergency calls on their 1850 number, but 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 you can report it on the website  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: www.esbnetworks.ie/power-outages-updates/latest-updates.

Irish Water

Issued: 8:15 pm, Monday 16 October 2017

Irish Water has been monitoring all of their water and wastewater supplies, working with the 31 local authorities during Storm Ophelia.

At this stage, there are extensive power outages affecting treatment plants and pumping stations which for the most part have not impacted water supplies due to a combination of reservoir storage and backup generators on the more critical supplies. However, there are communities without water mainly in southern counties, on schemes without storage and due to burst mains where it is unsafe for crews to carry out repairs for the moment.

Irish Water have a limited number of small supplies where precautionary Boil Water Notices have been notified due to treatment risks, associated with power failures affecting the disinfection of plants.

Irish Water also have some power outages at wastewater plants and pumping stations resulting in discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage. Rainfall levels have been manageable and we have no reports of serious flooding on our networks.

Irish Water are working closely with ESB to help prioritise those schemes where power restoration will be most urgent tomorrow in order to avoid loss of supply on a greater scale.

If you have issues with your water supply please view Irish Water's service supply map on www.water.ie, visit twitter at @IWCare or call 1850 278 278.