Storms brings down trees across region

Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin made themselves felt locally over the last week, but with no injuries to report.

In Mitchelstown early on Monday morning, rubbish was strewn up Lower Cork Street, from the Credit Union right down to The Pizza House, most likely the result of bins being blown over. It is a testament to the hard-working council staff that when TheAvondhu went to take a picture before 10am, there wasn’t a sign of the litter to be seen! Of more concern were the roof tiles witnessed along Lower Cork Street, which littered the path and parking spaces in front of several businesses. Elsewhere around the town, a telephone pole collapsed across a path up by Brigown Road.

The storm damage took its toll at Glengarra Woods, with numerous trees bearing the brunt of the force of the gales. Jim Landers witnessed the damage with his dog Kylo, who inspected every fallen tree.

Storm Eunice tracked quickly over the country on Thursday night and into Friday morning, bringing with it severe and damaging winds. Southwest winds veering northwest were predicted to reach mean speeds in excess of 80km/h, with gusts in excess of 130km/h.

Across counties under the Status Red weather warning, schools and third-level education institutes closed due to the ‘extreme nature’ of the storm and the ‘threat of multi-hazard weather events’.

The Status Red wind warning, which brought rain, hail and sleet, saw flood barriers erected in Fermoy, while Gardaí elected to close the M8 Blackwater Viaduct, between Junction 14 and Junction 15 from 3am Friday morning for the duration of the extreme winds. Killavullen bridge and Longfield’s bridge were also closed for a time.

Throughout the duration of the storm, many homes locally lost power due to the strong winds. In Castlelyons, a fault on Friday morning saw 12 households without power for a time, while in Kilshanny, Mitchelstown, another fault saw 33 households affected. In Monanig, Bartlemy, power was lost to a number of hours.

In Whitechurch, a fault affected approximately 254 customers, leaving them without power, while Ardfinnan in county Limerick saw 16 households affected for the same reason.

Locals in Glenville also reported a loss of power due to the high winds, while it was decided that Glenville church would not open until later in the day due to the storm.

ROAD DEBRIS

The majority of damage locally appeared to be caused by fallen trees blocking roads and downed telecommunications cables or poles.

In Aghern, fire brigade units attended the scene of a fallen tree and debris on the R628, while the L-1515-15 at Strawhall, Fermoy was reported impassible due to a fallen tree. Another on the N73 outside Kildorrery was reported, as well as in Castleterry outside Ballindangan. In Limerick, between Galbally and Knocklong, a tree down in Knockcarron made the road impassable for a time.

In Castlelyons, Ballindangan and on the Castletownroche to Shanballymore road, there were also reports of fallen trees and debris on roads throughout the storm.

Meanwhile, cables and telephone wires were reported down on the Watergrasshill to Rathcormac road; similarly on the road between Glanmire and Riverstown, where a number of trucks were held up with the carriageway impassible due to a downed electric wire.

WEST WATERFORD

Throughout Storm Eunice, Waterford City and County Council logged approximately 50 calls in relation to fallen trees and overhanging branches.

At Townspark East in Lismore, road users were advised to be cautious as fallen telephone poles were reported to the attention of the council.

Hundreds of homes across the county were left without electricity due to power outages and Irish Water reported supply issues at several locations due to power outages.

According to Fergus Galvin, Director of Services, Waterford City and County Council, Storm Eunice caused no significant damage to the county.

“We received calls from the public about fallen trees, slates and blocked roads, but in the main and thankfully, no one was injured and no significant flooding or structural damage was caused.

“Since the Red weather warning was lifted the Councils’ ground crews and fire services have been at the scenes of fallen trees removing them and ensuring roads are cleared and passable. Priority is being given to the national network and regional roads initially, with preference to be given to opening blocked roads and pushing trees to the side where possible to allow traffic to pass,” Mr Galvin said.