By Cillian Sherlock, PA
Updated at 15:33
The clean-up operation is continuing this afternoon in the wake of Storm Debi.
All weather warnings have now expired following severe gusts overnight and this morning.
ESB crews are working to restore power to the over 60 thousand customers who are still affected by outages.
Parts of Galway have also been flooded.
Earlier, a woman was taken to hospital after being hit by flying debris as Storm Debi’s trail of destruction brought coastal flooding and widespread power outages across Ireland.
ESB Networks is aware that customers are experiencing power outages due to #StormDebi. If you’re currently without electricity, visit https://t.co/GXyuew8I9W to stay informed about estimated restoration times and updates.Always #StaySafe and #StayClear of electricity wires. pic.twitter.com/zuiW4pZD6V
— ESB Networks (@ESBNetworks) November 13, 2023
Strong winds and fallen trees have been reported across the country as local authorities begin to assess the damage.
A Government scheme to support people living in homes affected by severe weather has been extended to Co Galway following flooding in Galway City and nearby Oranmore.
Storm surge knocked over a seawall and a boat was washed off moorings in Oranmore.
Council teams worked to clear the seawall and debris, which had been strewn across a road.
Downed trees and flooding were reported in Co Cavan while Louth County Council also recorded fallen power lines.
Fire crews in Meath responded to a number of incidents involving vehicles and fallen trees but reported no injuries.
An Post said a postwoman was taken to hospital after being hit by flying debris in Co Limerick on Monday morning, but she was not seriously injured.
Forecasters had warned of a potential “danger to life” as schools in parts of the country delayed opening due to the weather warnings.
Met Éireann had issued a series of red and orange warnings for “severe and damaging gusts” across much of the country until 9am.
The ESB said it would have to work late through the night to return power to some areas, after more than 100,000 homes and businesses were without electricity at the peak out of outages on Monday morning.
Brian Tapley, of ESB Networks, said crews expect to be working “late into the night” to restore power.
He said the worst affected areas are Tuam, Longford, the Midlands, Ashbourne and Navan.
Mr Tapley told RTÉ radio that emergency calls have already started but added that it is too early to say how many customers will be without power overnight.
He advised the public not to approach fallen power lines.
A gust of 115km/h was recorded at a Met Éireann weather station in Athenry, Co Galway, on Monday morning.
Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan has said the scale of the damage caused by the storm will be clearer when it is brighter.
Mr O’Donovan, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works, said the advice is to drive with extreme caution in areas where a weather warning was or is in place.
He told RTÉ radio: “The local authority crews will [have only started] going out in the last while when the red warning was lifted in some counties. Once first light is achieved, they’ll be able to see the scale of the damage.
“We won’t be able to ascertain the full damage until later on in the morning.”
He said the national emergency co-ordination group was due to meet at 11am.
Dublin Airport said some disruption is possible on Wednesday due to the storm. Four incoming and four outgoing flights between Dublin-Amsterdam and Dublin-London were cancelled early in the day.
Dublin Bus and Luas tram services have resumed in the city after being axed before 10am due to the storm.
The bus-service operator advised services were returning on a phased basis with further disruption possible.
A speed restriction of 50kph was put in place across the entire Irish Rail network as a precaution on Monday morning.
Dublin Coach also said a number of its services were cancelled because of the weather warnings, with updates to be provided throughout the day.
An Post said it had adjusted delivery schedules to get letters and parcels safely around the country ahead of the storm, though deliveries in some areas will be delayed due to road conditions and power outages.
This is the fourth storm to affect Ireland since September, which saw main streets hit by flooding after intense rain from Storms Babet and Ciarán.
The national director for fire and emergency management said Storm Debi was “probably the most intense storm” of the season so far.
Keith Leonard said: “It was probably the high winds of that leading edge of the storm as it came across the country that was the most hazardous piece. So probably the most intense storm we’ve had so far in the season.”
He said there is a “general trend” of coastal flooding, for example in Galway City and Oranmore.
He told RTÉ radio: “But thankfully not too much structural damage being reported at the moment.”
⚠️⚠️ Amber weather warning issued⚠️⚠️
Strong winds across Northern Ireland
Monday 0600 – 1200
Latest info https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware #StormDebi pic.twitter.com/XcHJuoclrL— Met Office (@metoffice) November 12, 2023
Meanwhile, in the North there has been disruption to travel and approximately 3,000 homes were left without electricity for a time.
A number of roads were closed in the Ballymena area and Translink said the bus station in Lisburn was closed.
The storm arrived just days after Newry, Downpatrick and Portadown suffered significant flooding.
The UK Met Office also issued a yellow wind and rain warning for all of the North on Monday, while an amber warning applied to counties Down and Amragh.
The yellow warning came into effect at 3am on Monday and applies until 2pm, while the amber warning was in effect from 6am until noon.
The Met Office said heavy rain and strong winds may bring disruption and flooding to parts of the region.
It advised people to be aware that homes and businesses could be flooded and there could be disruption to bus, rail and air travel.
The agency also said fast-flowing or deep floodwater and flying debris could cause a danger to life.
