Storm Boelo: Weather Warnings Remain as Power Restoration Continues Across Ireland

Eleven counties remain under active weather warnings after Storm Boelo battered Ireland over the bank holiday weekend, leaving thousands of homes without electricity and forcing transport networks and local authorities to respond to hazardous conditions. According to the Irish Independent, the country was hit by two storms, with Storm Austen making landfall first with far less severity than Storm Boelo. Met Éireann stressed that Storm Boelo was a weather event on a much greater scale, with wind gusts reaching 137km/h off Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Power Restoration Efforts in the Northwest

Engineers worked through Monday to restore electricity to remaining customers after approximately 53,500 properties across the island of Ireland lost power on Sunday morning. ESB Networks stated that a number of homes, farms, and businesses remained without electricity in the northwest on Monday afternoon, with crews deployed from across the country since first light. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Electricity Networks confirmed that power had been successfully restored to all 12,500 affected customers in Northern Ireland.

Wind Warnings Prompt Flood Defenses in Dublin

A fresh Status Yellow wind warning is due to come into effect for counties Donegal and Mayo at midnight tonight, expiring at noon on Tuesday. The national forecaster warned of loose objects being displaced, difficult driving and cycling conditions, fallen trees and branches, and large coastal waves. A separate Status Yellow wind warning covers counties Antrim, Down, and Derry from 3am until midnight, as issued by the UK Met Office. In response to the coastal threats, Dublin City Council flood operations staff blocked gaps in flood defences on Clontarf Promenade and erected defenses in Sandymount. Local disruptions also hit municipal events, with Cork County Council cancelling the ‘Mackerel’ event or rather the ‘Malloween’ event at Mallow Castle in the interest of public safety, noting The decision has been made in the interests of public safety and following careful consideration of the weather warnings in place.

Outlook for the Rest of the Week

Conditions will remain unsettled for much of the week, with a Status Yellow rain warning for Cork and Kerry advising of potential localised flooding and outdoor events being impacted. Tuesday will bring “near gale force” winds along the west coast alongside clouds, rainfall, and temperatures of 6C to 10C, with highest temperatures between nine to 12 degrees.

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