By Harry Walsh
RAGING gales continue to batter Donegal this morning after Storm Rachel left 10,000 homes without power across the county overnight.
ESB are currently working to restore power to as many homes as possible but are being hampered in some areas by the difficult conditions.
ESB reported this morning that one large 38kv fault in Donegal is affecting 10,000 customers in Glenties and Derrybeg
Most schools across Donegal will remain closed today due to poor road conditions and the cancellation of bus services.
Met Eireann put in place a ‘status red’ wind alert for exposed coastal and mountain areas of Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick and Kerry, with gusts of 130 kph to 150 kph as well as high onshore winds. The warning is valid until 2pm this afternoon.
“ESB Networks crews will be out making the electricity network safe and assessing the damage, so that crews can be deployed to restore power as quickly and effectively as possible,” an ESB spokesman said.
“All available staff in the affected areas are being deployed and crews from other locations, not as badly affected by the storm, will also be travelling to assist in the restoration process. ESB Networks sincerely apologise to all customers who are without power,” he added.
ESB said they sincerely apologise to all without power this morning, but warned customers they are not to approach broken lines or damaged poles and they are to keep children and animals away. Instead, customers can report damage to ESB on 1850 372 999.
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