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Updated 8.20pm
A TOTAL OF 330,000 customers around the country are currently without electricity after Storm Ophelia caused major damage across Ireland.
ESB Networks has said impacted customers should prepare to be without power overnight and for a number of days.
It has also confirmed that between 1,650 and 3,300 premises will not see a return to service for up to 10 days.
Fallen trees on overhead lines are responsible for most of the damage to the network.
In its latest statement, issued at 8.15pm, ESB Networks said emergency crews have been deployed across the country and are dealing with emergencies and restoring power where it is safe to do so.
A spokesperson noted that loss of service to this scale is “unprecedented”.
As you can see from the map, areas across the entire country are affected.
In a statement, ESB Networks said: “Based on previous experience of Storm Darwin in 2014, where about 280,000 customers were left without supply, we 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.”
It also issued a warning about customers who use electrically powered medical devices and who are without power:
It is very important that any customers who use electrically powered medical devices should contact their healthcare professional to make alternative arrangements if necessary.
Affected areas
The ESB has warned customers not to approach fallen electricity wires under any circumstances.
ESB Networks / Twitter#Ophelia Update Our priority will be taking calls relating to emergency & dangerous situations on ESB Networks on 1850 372 999 #staysafe pic.twitter.com/wHyTOD31bo
— ESB Networks (@ESBNetworks) October 16, 2017
To keep up to date with the areas affected by power outages, click here.
ESB Networks / TwitterDO NOT APPROACH If you come across fallen trees there may be fallen wires that could be live & dangerous. STAY CLEAR phone 1850 372 999. pic.twitter.com/SyXx8Uyy4H
— ESB Networks (@ESBNetworks) October 16, 2017
The ESB has asked customers not to call the network about normal power outages in order to keep phone lines open for emergencies.
To report emergency and dangerous situations on ESB Networks please call 1850 372 999 or +353 21 2382410.
Meanwhile, 11,000 Eir customers are without broadband, telephone and mobile services.
The company said 90 of its mobile sites are off=air with the worst affected areas being the southwest, west and midlands.
The number of outages is expected to rise as access for crews to problem areas is limited because of road closures.
In a statement, the company said Ophelia had “delivered unprecedented and widespread levels of damage to Eir’s infrastructure throughout the country”.
This includes damage to poles, cables and mast infrastructure. We anticipate that the network damage will extend as the storm tracks across the country.
It said the repair work will take some time given the “overhead nature of the network in rural Ireland”.
If damaged infrastructure is causing a public safety risk, people are asked to contact 1850 245 424 or An Garda Siochana.
Customers can find the latest information via www.eir.ie and can also log faults on the “Log a Fault” section of www.eir.ie or through an automated customer service line 1901. Faults can be reported to either service 24 hours a day, seven days week.
With reporting by Sinead O’Carroll, Orla Ryan and Christine Bohan
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