Update from the National Emergency Co-ordination Group on storm recovery response

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) met again today (Friday) to continue to coordinate efforts to restore power, water, telecommunications and other services following Storm Éowyn.

Supported by government departments and agencies on the NECG, ESB Networks continues to mobilise all available resources to restore power connections as soon as possible.

Power has been restored to 694,000 customers, however, some 74,000 homes, farms, schools and businesses remain without supply.

Telecommunications and water supplies have also been significantly affected. In most cases, this is due to knock-on effects of power outages.

Several large-capacity generators are being provided by Poland and Denmark, following a request under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The generators are being deployed to support Uisce Éireann and telecommunications operators to bring water, phone and broadband services back to homes and businesses.

Chair of the NECG Keith Leonard said:

The NECG will meet again tomorrow, and the relevant sub groups continue to progress work in their respective areas.

The NECG is the established central government platform for responding to national level emergencies under the Strategic Emergency Management Framework.

Approximately 74,000 homes, farms, schools 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 694,000 customers and intensive work will continue.

Restoration work is continuing. In the areas with the largest number of faults, as we make progress to repair the extensive damage, some customers may see their estimated restoration times change over the coming days. If you are in a position to visit the PowerCheck website, estimated restoration times will continue to be updated.

It is expected that the customers who remain without power will progressively have their supply restored over the course of next week.

285 skilled technicians from counterparts in Austria, Finland, France and Great Britain are now on the ground in the worst impacted areas. Further support is arriving from Germany, Netherlands and Norway over the coming days. They are supporting over 2,500 local ESB Networks crews and partner contactors in the worst impacted areas who have been bolstered by colleagues from the south and east of the country, as well as skilled retirees.

In addition to the crews deployed, over 1,300 support staff are involved in overseeing damage assessment, emergency call management, logistics and network operations. Our customer contact centre has also doubled its resources to accommodate the unprecedented high volumes of calls, resulting in short call response times throughout the day and night for our customers.

An important Public Safety Message: ESB Networks reminds the public 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.

Fewer than 800 premises are without water as of lunchtime today. The vast majority of customers have now had their water supply restored since the storm. Uisce Éireann teams will continue their efforts to restore supply to any remaining areas, as well as carrying out business-as-usual repair and maintenance works on the network.

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. 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 is tankering water to treated water reservoirs to resupply smaller schemes. Uisce Éireann are also liaising with Local Coordination 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, and customers can also contact Uisce Éireann directly on 1800 278 278.

The estimated effect of Storm Éowyn on the national telecoms userbase was the largest in Comreg’s recording history. Repair and restoration work is now showing significant progress in restoring connectivity and several fixed service operator networks have been returned to normal service levels.

As of 10am (Friday 31 January):

• 1.5% of fixed service users are without services
• 5.65% of mobile service users are experiencing some level of degradation of service

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.

Ireland has been actively working with colleagues in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism since 22 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.

Ireland has been offered:

• 10 x 27.5 KvA generators (RescEU stockpile, Poland)
• 3 x 512 KvA generators (RescEU stockpile, Poland)
• 1 x 100 KvA generators (Denmark)
• 3 x 150 KvA, generators (Denmark)

The generators are being deployed to support Uisce Éireann and telecommunications infrastructure.

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.

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.

There are 380 Emergency Response Hubs established, including community led hubs with local authority financial and administrative supports. Emergency Response Hubs are assisting people with basic needs such as water, hot food, phone charging, broadband access and shower facilities.

At 10am today, emergency response hubs were operating in the following locations. Check with your local authority for the latest updates:

• Cavan – 29 hubs
• Clare – 7 hubs
• Donegal – 50 hubs
• Galway City – 3 hubs
• Galway County – 52 hubs
• Kildare – 1 hub
• Leitrim – 29 hubs
• Limerick City and County – 1 hub
• Longford – 6 hubs
• Mayo – 46 hubs
• Meath – 10 hubs
• Monaghan – 23 hubs
• Offaly – 13 hubs
• Roscommon – 37 hubs
• Sligo – 21 hubs
• Westmeath – 20 hub
• Wexford – 30 hubs
• Cork County - 2 hubs

Further details on the above hubs are available at www.gov.ie/stormresponse and an interactive map of hubs is available.

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected by Storm Éowyn.

Any homeowner affected by severe should contact the Community Welfare Service. Emergency Community Welfare Service contact details are available here: gov.ie - Customer Notices.

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.

Arising from storm Éowyn, and subsequent damage to the ESB network, the Health and Safety Authority (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
• use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas at least 7 metres from all doors, windows, and vent openings. Measure the 7-metre distance from the generator to the building
• never use a generator in an attached garage, even with the door open
• place generators so that exhaust fumes can’t enter the home through windows, doors or other openings in the building. The exhaust must be directed away from the building
• make sure to install carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for correct placement and mounting height
• turn off generators and let them cool down before refuelling. Never refuel a generator while it is hot

The public are also reminded:

• never to use outdoor fuel-burning equipment like barbeques or patio heaters indoors or in an unventilated area
• never to use indoor cooking appliances to heat a room
• ensure your chimney is swept and unblocked before lighting a fire, and keep the room ventilated
• install one or more Carbon Monoxide alarms and test them once a month

For more safety guidance, visit the Carbon Monoxide website.

Exceptional application facility for those who have been impacted by Storm Éowyn to be made available on the CAO website until 5pm on 6 February.

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 the ESB website.

Details of health service disruptions can be found on the HSE website and the HSE will also provide regular updates through local media and on national and regional social media channels.

In situations where service users have no electricity at home and are reliant on electronically powered medical devices, they should immediately consider the following advice:

• check for updates: Contact ESB Networks for reconnection updates at 1800 372 757 and check outage information on the PowerCheck website
• seek an alternative location to recharge or power a device. If possible, move to a place with electricity, such as a relative’s or friend’s home or visit a community hub
• seek an alternative means to power the device: This may involve a backup battery or a Battery Powerpack
• if you are concerned, please seek medical advice; If you are worried about the impact of the power outage on your therapy, contact your GP, GP out of hours or an emergency department
• act immediately in an emergency: If the situation becomes critical, contact emergency services without delay

Farmers are advised of the following:

Storm damage

• assess damage and the risks involved in carrying out repairs before undertaking work
• if working at height, always employ a mobile elevated work platform to avoid the risk of falling. Consider employing a contractor
• removing fallen trees should only be undertaken by chainsaw operators with the skills and the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to do so. Chainsaw operators should wear chainsaw trousers, chainsaw boots, visor, gloves and earmuffs

Electricity

• check that powerlines around the farmyard and farm haven't been damaged and notify ESB networks of any fallen or damaged power lines
• always treat fallen electricity wires as if they are live
• if using a generator, get a qualitied electrician to make the necessary connection
• where buildings have been damaged, get your electrician to check the electrical wiring

Farmer wellbeing

• fatigue can be a factor when it comes to safety incidents at busy times and at other times when farmers are under pressure. Where possible, take on temporary staff and use contractors to carry out work such as slurry spreading
• if feeling overwhelmed, reach out for support of family members, a trusted friend or neighbour, your agricultural advisor or your GP. If concerned about a farming issue, please contact the department

Animal welfare

• check on stock and move them away from dangers such as fallen electric wires
• with public water supplies impacted in many areas, alternative arrangements should be put in place to ensure livestock have access to water
• check that fences, particularly along roadside boundaries are stockproof. If electricity supply has been disrupted, the mains electric fences may no longer be stockproof
• place your order for your next delivery of concentrate feed in plenty of time to ensure it arrives when you need it