Intensive whole-of-Government recovery response continues following Storm Éowyn
The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) met today (Tuesday 28.01.2025) to continue to coordinate and concentrate efforts to restore power, water, telecommunications and other services to homes, farms and businesses following Storm Éowyn.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister Dara Calleary and Minister James Browne are today travelling to counties and communities most affected in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.
All government departments, response agencies, including local authorities, ESB Networks, Eirgrid, Irish Water, and emergency services attend the NECG which is the established central government platform for responding to national level emergencies under the Strategic Emergency Management Framework.
ESB Networks continues to mobilise all available resources to restore power connections as soon as possible alongside additional crews coming to support from the UK and the EU. Power has been restored to 600,000 customers; however some 168,000homes, farms and businesses remain without supply.
By Friday, 31st January the vast majority of those impacted by Storm Éowyn will have had their supply restored. After this, the remaining customers (approximately 100,000), will progressively have their supply restored over the course of the following week.
Telecommunications and water supplies have also been significantly affected. In most cases, this is due to knock-on effects of power outages, with assessments continuing.
A key focus for government, the NECG, and all organisations involved is to find ways to support power restoration works that will make the most impact in terms of restoring water, communications and other services.
Humanitarian assistance
Local authorities are coordinating a local level humanitarian assistance response to the needs of people who have been significantly impacted by the storm. Local Coordination Groups are now in place in 17 local authority areas.
More than 140 Emergency Response Hubs have been set up in the counties most affected by service outages. Emergency Response Hubs are assisting people with basic needs such as water, hot food, phone charging, broadband access and shower facilities.
A key focus is on ensuring the welfare of vulnerable or isolated people. A number of organisations including Uisce Éireann, ESB Networks, An Post, An Garda Síochána, HSE and Local Link are checking in on vulnerable people and any concerns will be raised through the Local Coordination Group for follow up.
Alongside this, the public are strongly encouraged to check in on neighbours, family and friends and to report any concerns to Gardaí.
Public safety
The NECG is today again emphasising the need for public safety in the aftermath of the storm.
ESB Networks has been made aware of potentially very dangerous incidents where members of the public have unknowingly approached fallen electricity infrastructure. People are reminded to stay safe, stay clear of fallen electricity wires. 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 1800 372 999.
Portable generators can bring a fire risk and emit carbon monoxide (CO) – a poisonous, deadly gas. Fuel should be appropriately stored and portable generators should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas at least 7 metres from all doors, windows, and vent openings.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne said:
“This once in a generation storm has created unprecedented challenges in its wake. For those families, businesses and farms awaiting the restoration of power and services, the Government is using every resource available to support them and to get their services restored.
“As we move towards a full restoration of services, we are supporting those still experiencing severe challenges, especially our most vulnerable. Later today, I will be visiting some of the Emergency Response Hubs we now have now in place – over a 140 Hubs at last count. These are strategically placed across the most affected areas, providing food, water, shower facilities, power, connectivity, and information for those who need it.”
Chair of the NECG Keith Leonard said:
“The National Emergency Co-ordination Group is making sure both the restoration efforts and the humanitarian response is fully co-ordinated and joined up across all organisations and agencies. We are continuing to support local authorities as they provide a local response to the needs of people who have been significantly impacted by the storm – enabling information and resource sharing between all those involved in this effort. Local Coordination Groups are now in place in 16 counties, and these groups are working with other organisations and agencies to make sure our most vulnerable people are checked on and prioritised for support.
“The NECG is also helping to make sure that all available resources are being used to restore power, water, telecommunications and other services to homes, farms and businesses who are still disconnected following this unprecedented storm. The co-ordinated response that the NECG brings allows organisations to work together where possible, and to facilitate works that will make the most impact in terms of restoring services.”
NECG Sub-Groups will meet again later today to continue to progress work in their respective areas.
The full NECG will meet again tomorrow, and work will continue throughout the day and week to coordinate the response and recovery.
Power
168,000 homes, farms and businesses remain without power following Storm Éowyn. ESB Networks is mobilising all available resources to restore power to homes, farms and businesses as soon as possible. Already power has been restored to 600,000 customers and intensive work will continue.
ESB Networks have updated www.PowerCheck.ie with the expected restoration times: this shows that by Friday, 31st January, the vast majority of those impacted by Storm Éowyn will have their supply restored. After this the remaining customers, approximately 100,000, will progressively have their supply restored over the course of the following week.
Estimated Restoration Times will continue to be updated as the restoration continues to progress.
To support ESB Networks and partner contactors in their restoration effort post-Storm Éowyn, skilled technicians from counterparts in Great Britain have been deployed to the worst impacted areas. Further support has arrived from Austria and Finland this morning while additional crews from electricity network operators in The Netherlands and France are due over the coming days.
In addition, ESB Networks crews from the south and east of the county are also being redeployed to the worst impacted areas once restoration in their areas has been completed, while skilled retirees from ESB Networks are also being redrafted to assist.
An Important Public Safety Message: ESB Networks reminds the pubic to Stay Safe, Stay Clear of fallen electricity wires. 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 1800 372 999.
Water
Approximately 31,000 customers are without water as of lunchtime today, and a further are 56,000 at risk. Some 169,000 customers have had their water supply restored since the storm.
Water supply returned to additional 55,000 people since yesterday
Uisce Éireann have now deployed and installed generators at almost all of the plants, pumping stations and reservoirs where it is feasible to do so. A final few are being added today to further reduce the number of customers without water. Having done so Uisce Éireann are continuing to work closely with the ESB to prioritise the restoration of electricity supply in the remaining locations.
In areas where water has not yet returned, alternative water supplies are being provided to support local communities and Uisce Éireann are tankering water to treated water reservoirs to resupply smaller schemes. Uisce Éireann are also liaising with Local Co-ordination Groups and Emergency Response Hubs in areas where these have been established.
Updates on the location of these alternative water supplies and other supply updates are available on the Uisce Éireann website, www.water.ie and customers can also contact Uisce Éireann directly on 1800 278 278.
Telecoms
The estimated effect of Storm Éowyn on the national telecoms userbase was the largest in Comreg’s recording history but repair and restoration work is now showing significant progress in restoring connectivity and several operator networks have been returned to normal service levels.
As of 10:00am (Tuesday, 28 January):
The most impacted areas continue to be the north and west of the country.
Those affected by Mobile Service failures are unlikely to experience complete disconnection. They may experience degradation on data and voice; text messaging is much less likely to be affected.
Calls to emergency services utilise any available network, regardless of operator subscription. These are expected to continue to function as normal nationwide. Restoration of Mobile Service will focus on voice and SMS initially; data services may be slower to return. ComReg (Commission for Communications Regulation) is monitoring the situation and liaising with operators; further updates will be provided over the coming days.
Emergency Response Hubs and Local Coordination Groups
Local Coordination Groups are now in place in 17 Local Authority Areas – Cavan, Cork County, Donegal, Galway County, Kerry, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick City and County, Longford, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow.
There are 143 Emergency Response Hubs established, including community led hubs with local authority financial and administrative supports.
Email addresses and phone lines
Local authorities will communicate about all supports being made available on their websites, social media and via local media.
Uisce Éireann, ESB, An Post, An Garda Síochána, HSE and Local Link are prioritising checking on vulnerable people and linking in with the Local Coordination Groups in this regard.
Generator safety:
Arising from storm Éowyn and subsequent damage to the ESB network, the Health and Safey (HSA) understands that electrical generators are being used to provide temporary replacement power. When installing and using electrical generators, it is crucial to ensure that the electrical installation work is carried out by a competent person. Persons installing generators should observe the electrical safety standards and ensure they do not connect a generator to a socket or distribution board. Doing so will create a feed onto the electricity network and will pose a danger to others including ESB network repair crews. It’s important to know that portable generators can bring a fire risk and emit carbon monoxide (CO) – a poisonous, deadly gas.
Store fuel for the generator in a container that is intended for the purpose and is correctly labelled as such. Store the containers outside of living areas.
Schools
The majority of schools opened today (Tuesday), however, a number of schools have taken the decision to remain closed for safety reasons. Schools are advised that if they have any issues caused by the storm, the board of management can make the decision to remain closed until it is safe to reopen.
In carrying out any safety checks of buildings and facilities, school authorities should take into account the current and expected weather conditions, any damage that might have been caused to school buildings due to the storm, the restoration of power and the safety of the school community.
Early Learning and Care
Early learning and care and school age childcare settings are reminded the decision by the setting to reopen should prioritise the safety of children, staff and parents.
Some of the issues that settings should take into account include in their decision making include the:
Beware of scams
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the National Cyber Security Centre are aware of scam text messages in circulation purporting to come from ESB Networks.
Users should exercise caution when receiving messages from unknown numbers.
Government departments and agencies or your bank will never phone, text, email or video call you unexpectedly asking for your bank details.
Users should not engage directly, nor share any personal information if asked, and should block and report the suspicious number if necessary.
If you believe you are a victim of a cyber-crime, contact your local Garda station and take screenshots of texts, emails or other communications.
Further information is available on ESB.ie.
Health services
HSE services throughout the country saw significant disruptions due to Storm Éowyn.
Updates, advice and details of further health service disruptions at https://www2.hse.ie/services/disruptions/ and the HSE will also provide regular updates through local media and on national and regional social media channels.
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has advised of an urgent shortage of blood products and current requests for donations. Locations for donations can be found on their website https://www.giveblood.ie/.
Humanitarian Assistance Scheme
The Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, has confirmed that the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected by Storm Éowyn.
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme mitigates hardship by providing income tested financial assistance schemes to households affected by a severe weather event.
The Department of Social Protection adopts a three-stage approach:
Stage 1: Provide emergency support payments (for food, clothing, etc.) in the immediate aftermath of the event. This Stage is not income tested and is based on the immediate need of impacted individuals.
Stage 2: Replace white goods and basic furniture.
Stage 3: Focus on damage to a household’s primary residency.
The scheme will not cover losses covered by an insurance policy.
The income limits for the scheme are:
Reduced or tapered level of support may be provided in cases where your household income is above the limits.
If any homeowner affected by severe weather needs to access these supports, emergency Community Welfare Service contact details are available here gov.ie - Customer Notices (www.gov.ie).
Road safety
Nationally all road users are being advised to be aware of the dangers that may remain following the storm such as downed pylons, lines, trees, branches, and other debris which could block roads. Obey any road closures or diversions put in place by local authorities and An Garda Síochána.
Transport
Most transport services have now returned to normal, but passengers are still advised to contact their operator for the most up to date information.
Farm safety
Farmers are advised of the following:
Revenue
Revenue is aware that the exceptional weather events over recent days have caused difficulties for many and understands that this disruption can impact timely tax compliance.
Revenue will work with those taxpayers and businesses that have been adversely impacted by Storms Éowyn and Herminia, to ensure that good compliance records can remain on track despite the disruption caused.
The advice to taxpayers and businesses impacted by the disruption caused by Storms Éowyn and Herminia is to contact the Collector-General’s office once their circumstances allow, to agree mutually suitable arrangements to restore timely tax compliance.
Revenue’s Collector-General’s office can be contacted on 01 738 3663, or through MyEnquiries.
EU Civil Protection update
Ireland has been actively working with colleagues in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism since 22nd January requesting an initial damage assessment through Copernicus (satellite mapping).
When severe emergencies occur, national authorities first develop an overview of the situation, making requests based on the needs identified. It is essential that a needs assessment be carried out to ensure appropriate and detailed requests can be made for limited shared resources.
The NECG Infrastructure sub-group identified the need for large capacity generator support which was relayed through the Common Emergency Communications & Information System (CECIS) on Saturday afternoon.
The latest in regards to generators is;
The generators from Denmark (4), are en-route, scheduled to arrive into country tomorrow night, and going to support, Uisce Éireann.
10 – 27.5 KvA, working with Defence regarding possibility of sending air corps to collect, if not by ferry from Poland. Vodafone and Three will get 5 each to support coms infrastructure.
3 x 512 Kva, Romanian military aircraft, possibility of utilising Shannon airport, logistics underway.
Content Last Updated/Reviewed: 29/01/2025