Strong Winds Sweep Ireland as Recovery Continues After Storm Boelo
A status-yellow weather warning covering 11 counties came into effect on Monday evening as strong and gusty south to southwest winds swept across Ireland following the impacts of Storms Austen and Boelo. The Met Éireann wind warning began at 5pm and runs until midnight, targeting counties Carlow, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Mayo, Waterford, Wexford, and Wicklow.
Forecasters warned the public to expect difficult travel conditions, fallen trees and branches, and large coastal waves. Concurrently, the UK Met Office issued a yellow wind warning for Antrim, Down, and Derry from 3am until midnight on Tuesday. A separate status-yellow rain warning for Cork and Kerry expired at an earlier 9am slot on Monday.
Thousands Remain Without Power in County Donegal and Beyond
More than 40,000 homes and businesses lost power on Sunday morning following Storm Boelo, with ESB Networks crews restoring supply to the majority over the course of the day. However, thousands of properties stayed disconnected into the new week, particularly in the northwest and west regions.
According to RTÉ.ie, around 53,500 properties on the island of Ireland lost power at the peak of the storm. Donegal Daily reported that over 1,000 homes remained without power across County Donegal during Monday’s cleanup, with the largest single outage concentrated around Kincasslagh, where 334 properties awaited reconnection. ESB Networks stated that crews from across the country have been deployed since first light to address remaining outages in rural and farm areas.
Dublin City Council Bolsters Coastal Flood Defences
In anticipation of high winds and coastal surges, municipal authorities took defensive measures along vulnerable shorelines. Dublin City Council flood operations staff blocked gaps in flood defences on the Clontarf Promenade and erected coastal defences in Sandymount, as reported by RTÉ.ie. Northern Ireland Electricity Networks confirmed that power had been restored to all 12,500 customers affected in its jurisdiction.
Forecast Prompts Unsettled Weather Across the Country
Rain is forecast to move in from the southwest on Monday evening and become widespread overnight. Tuesday will bring a blustery day with fresh to strong southwesterly winds and a mix of sunshine and heavy showers with a chance of isolated thunderstorms, alongside highest temperatures between nine and 12 degrees.
Wednesday is expected to start mostly cloudy with light rain and drizzle before clearing into sunny spells and isolated showers with temperatures reaching 13 to 16 degrees. Thursday morning will see patchy rain clear to sunny spells and scattered light showers before cloud builds from the west in the afternoon, bringing fresh south-easterly winds and temperatures between 12 and 15 degrees. Met Éireann indicated that Friday will remain dull and breezy with rain spreading eastward, though conditions are projected to turn more settled next weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Storm Recovery
Which counties are covered by the Met Éireann status-yellow wind warning?
The warning covers counties Carlow, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Mayo, Waterford, Wexford, and Wicklow. It took effect at 5pm on Monday and runs until midnight.
How many properties lost power across Ireland during Storm Boelo?
Around 53,500 properties on the island of Ireland lost power on Sunday morning, according to RTÉ.ie. ESB Networks and Northern Ireland Electricity Networks deployed repair crews to restore supply throughout the northwest and other affected regions.
What specific areas in County Donegal experienced the largest power outages?
Donegal Daily reported that the largest single outage in County Donegal was around Kincasslagh, with 334 properties waiting to be reconnected. A total of 438 outages were reported across west Donegal, alongside 341 in Inishowen.
What weather conditions are predicted for Tuesday?
Tuesday will feature blustery conditions with fresh to strong southwesterly winds veering westerly, accompanied by sunshine, heavy showers, and the chance of isolated thunderstorms. Highest temperatures will range between nine and 12 degrees.
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