#Longford Hurricane #Ophelia Alert: What to do if you experience power outage

ESB Networks are at Red Weather Preparedness Level ahead of Hurricane #Ophelia and they are predicting that the high winds will cause damage to electricity infrastructure and that we can also expect loss of electricity supply.

Met Éireann has forecast that Storm Ophelia will bring gale force winds with gusts in excess of 130km/h in the South East, South West, West, and North West tomorrow, Monday, October 16. The rest of the country will also be affected.

ESB Networks is at Red Weather Preparedness Level. All internal resources are on alert and will be deployed to respond to all electricity outages once it is safe to do so.

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An ESB spokesperson said, "We continually monitor the forecasts and real time events on the electricity network and will deploy resources safely to these events. Updates will issue over the course of the storm.

"Crews from ESB Networks will be dispatched to the affected areas without electricity supply, making the electricity network safe and assessing the damage, so that they can restore power as quickly and effectively as possible.

"ESB Networks would like to ask our customers to be prepared to be without electricity in case their area is hit by the storm:

* Have plenty of food and water available

* Have torches with spare batteries available

* Make sure your phone is charged and, if possible, have a phone charger at hand for your car

* Please check that elderly or vulnerable relatives and neighbours are prepared to be without electricity

*If you have electric gates, please check you know how to work them manually


An Important Public Safety Message:

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 1850 372 999.

Customers without power can check for updates on when their fault is expected to be repaired at www.esbpowercheck.ie or on the PowerCheck App for iPhone and Android devices.

If your fault is not logged please report it at https://www.esbnetworks.ie/ power-outages-updates/report- a-power-outage or if you have no internet access please call 1850 372 999. Customers should have their MPRN available to access recorded information specific to their location. You can also check @ESBNetworks on Twitter for updates.

ESB Networks is reminding customers of the precautionary measures to take in the event of a power cut:

* Never approach broken lines or damaged poles, and keep children and animals away – report damage to ESB Networks at 1850 372 999 and listen to recorded messages carefully

* Turn off electric cookers, ovens, irons, etc. if electricity supply is lost

* Leave a light switched on so you know when power has been restored

* Take extra care if using candles, oil lamps or other naked flames

* Test smoke alarms with fresh batteries

* Ensure adequate ventilation if using gas heaters.

Real time information on power outages and restoration times is available at: www.esbpowercheck.ie with  further information available at: https://www.esbnetworks. ie/power-outages-updates/ latest-updates  

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