UP TO 35,000 Irish homes and businesses remained without power this morning after Storm Hector battered the country with gusts of up to 125km/hr overnight.
The worst affected areas were those under Met Éireann's Orange Status alert: Donegal, Sligo, Galway and Mayo.
A number of fallen trees caused damage to overhead lines before the warning expired at 10am this morning.
We have many faults all the over country this morning due too last nights high winds . We are working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. You can get updates/lines down on https://t.co/VMtxFrW7FY or log a fault online https://t.co/yGCwOyspgl. #staysafe
— ESB Networks (@ESBNetworks) June 14, 2018
There are also some minor power cuts in Cavan and Monaghan to the north and Wicklow and Dublin to the east.
Anyone who comes across damaged power lines has been warned not to approach them and to inform ESB immediately.
Speaking on RTE Radio One's Morning Ireland, ESB's Head of Communications Bernadine Moloney said they expect power to be restored to everyone affected by this evening.
Who owns this? This isn’t the first time I’ve come across one of these in a storm #StormHector #stormhectorhasarrived #storm #trampoline #wind #ireland #debris pic.twitter.com/m4vwMoD8St
— STEVEN COOPER (@stevencooperdj) June 14, 2018
"We currently have 35,000 people out. The issue is we have summer-type trees in winter wind.
"We have a number of trees in full leaf that have come down in the winter winds, so one tree down is affecting a large number of customers.
"We expect a lot of people back in the earlier part of the day and we do expect everyone back by this evening."
VERY IMPORTANT: If you come across fallen trees there may be fallen wires, DO NOT APPROACH, the wires could be live and extremely dangerous. Please stay clear and phone ESB Networks on 1850 372 999. pic.twitter.com/p6H7y45nvc
— ESB Networks (@ESBNetworks) June 14, 2018
