Storm Boelo Triggers Red Warnings and Power Cuts Across Donegal
Storm Boelo made landfall, prompting Met Éireann to issue a status orange wind warning and a status red marine warning as heavy gales and flooding disrupted transport, sports fixtures, and electricity supplies across County Donegal. Donegal Daily reported that over 4,500 electricity customers lost power by Saturday evening, with Creeslough, Dungloe, and Donegal Town bearing the brunt of the weather damage.
The severe weather escalation began at 12:30 pm on Saturday when Met Éireann issued a status red marine weather warning for surrounding waters, forecasting violent storm-force 11 winds with gusts reaching 103 to 117 km/h. That marine warning took effect at 7:00 pm between Rossan Point, Bloody Foreland, Malin Head, and Fair Head, remaining active until 6:00 am on Sunday, October 26. Concurrently, a mainland status orange wind warning came into effect at 2:00 pm on Saturday, scheduled to run until 9:00 am on Sunday.
Council Travel Warnings and Infrastructure Closures
Donegal County Council urged the public against all non-essential travel as surface flooding materialized in the west and southwest of the county, including Ardara and Killybegs, alongside the Glen Road in Buncroobog. High winds forced the closure of the Harry Blaney Bridge to all traffic overnight, while access to the Donegal Town Pier Car Park faced restrictions starting at 4:00 pm due to coastal flooding risks. Across the border in Derry, the Foyle Bridge was also closed to motorists.
Emergency services responded to multiple weather incidents on Saturday, including a car submerged by the tide at Rossnowlagh beach with no injuries reported. Surface flooding impacted the Carrigart-Creeslough Road, and falling trees blocked the main road into Brockagh at the back lane of Cloghan lodge. Meanwhile, the Donegal Mountain Rescue team advised the public to postpone hill walking and climbing, warning that conditions on high ground presented severe hazards.
Severe Weather Postpones Regional Soccer and GAA Matches
The severe weather caused widespread cancellations across regional athletic schedules on Saturday. All FAI National League soccer games were postponed, affecting fixtures for Cockhill Celtic, Bonagee United, and Letterkenny Rovers. Donegal GAA confirmed the postponement of all U21 county fixtures until Sunday, while Donegal Junior League matches—including Arranmore United versus Ramelton Mariners, Cappry Rovers versus Lagan Harps, and Ballybofey United versus Raphoe Town—were called off alongside evening race meetings at Lifford Greyhound Stadium.
ESB Networks Schedules Power Restorations
ESB Networks crews deployed across the county to assess damage to infrastructure caused by Storm Boelo. By 8:45 pm, outages peaked at more than 4,500 affected customers. Creeslough recorded 2,493 customers without electricity, four separate faults in Dungloe left 780 without power, and 751 customers experienced outages in Donegal. Additional faults impacted Gweedore, Kilcar, Stranorlar, and Convoy. ESB Networks estimated that power would not return to most affected areas until 2:00 pm on Sunday, October 25, with Convoy serving as an exception where restoration was anticipated by 9:30 pm on Saturday.
Frequently Asked Questions About Storm Boelo in Donegal
When did the Met Éireann weather warnings expire?
The status red marine weather warning remained in place until 6:00 am on Sunday, while the mainland status orange wind warning stayed active until 9:00 am that same morning.
Who should residents contact in an out-of-hours emergency?
Residents can contact the Donegal County Council Roads Service out of hours at 074 91 72288, or dial 999 or 112 for the Fire Service, Coast Guard, or Mountain Rescue.
Where can customers check real-time electricity restoration updates?
Customers can track live repair estimates and fault locations on the official ESB PowerCheck website.
Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange wind warning for Donegal with gale force westerly winds and severe, damaging gusts expected,
the Donegal Mountain Rescue team stated in an advisory urging the public to avoid high ground.
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