ESB Urged to Offer Hotel Stays During Prolonged Power Outages

Leitrim Residents‍ Demand‍ Support‍ After Days Without Power Following Storm‍ Darragh

Drumshanbo, Leitrim – As power slowly returns to Leitrim after teh devastating impact of Storm Darragh, residents are calling for better support systems for those left without electricity for extended periods.

Cllr. Enda McGloin, a Fine Gael representative from Drumshanbo, witnessed firsthand ⁤the hardship faced by his⁣ constituents. “My phone was ringing off⁤ the hook for a week,” he said, ⁣describing ⁤the desperation of residents who went days without basic necessities. “After a critical ⁢number of days, people should be offered hotel or B&B accommodation so they can keep warm⁤ and wash.”

McGloin highlighted‍ the plight of one family who endured six days without power.”They ‍felt like nervous wrecks,” he shared. “Most people like to have a ⁣shower every day and⁢ freshen up. I couldn’t live in my house ⁣for more than three days ‍without electricity.”

The ⁢storm’s impact extended beyond homes. Drumreilly school remained closed for the entire week due to the lack⁢ of power. While businesses like The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, which has a generator, fared better, they still faced ⁤challenges with water and internet outages.

McGloin also raised concerns about the maintenance of local forestry, suggesting overgrown⁤ trees near⁢ power lines contributed⁣ to the widespread outages. He called for a mandatory 30-meter setback between forestry and power lines.

The ESB, which described Storm Darragh as the most severe storm to hit the electricity⁢ network in recent memory, acknowledged the prolonged outages in Leitrim. While⁣ they provided facilities in local hotels and pubs for residents to access hot meals, charge phones, and stay ‍warm, they admitted that forestry played a role in⁤ the extended outages in the area.

“We work with all stakeholders in terms of ‍finding a path forward on this,” said an‍ ESB spokesperson. “That is a particular issue up in that part of the world. The area where the most prolonged‍ outages have been have been consequently of forestry.I think that ‍is fair to say. We are acutely conscious of that as well.”

As of Friday evening, approximately⁢ 100 households⁣ in Leitrim remained without⁣ power, with restoration expected by Saturday evening.⁤ the experience ⁢has left many ⁢residents demanding a more proactive approach ⁢to supporting those affected by future storms.

Leitrim Residents’ Cry for Help After Storm ‍Darragh Leaves Them in teh⁣ Dark

Following ⁤the devastation of Storm ⁤Darragh,Leitrim residents are demanding better support systems for those enduring prolonged power outages. while ⁢power is ⁢slowly⁢ returning to the ⁤county, the storm’s impact has left a lasting mark on⁣ the community.

Cllr. enda McGloin, Fine Gael representative for Drumshanbo, witnessed⁣ the⁣ hardship firsthand.⁤ “My phone was⁤ ringing off the hook for⁤ a week,” he said, describing the desperation⁢ of residents who went days ⁣without basic necessities. “After a critical number of days, people should be offered hotel or B&B accommodation so they can keep warm‍ and wash.”

McGloin painted⁢ a chilling picture of one family⁤ who endured an unthinkable⁤ six days without power. “They felt like nervous ‍wrecks,” he shared. “Most people like to have a shower every ⁣day and freshen ⁣up. I ‍couldn’t live⁢ in my house for more than‍ three days without electricity.”

The storm’s effects extended ⁤beyond individual homes. Drumreilly school remained closed for the ⁢entire‍ week due to the⁢ power outage. While businesses like The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, equipped with‍ a generator, fared better, they still faced challenges due to water and‍ internet⁢ outages.

McGloin‍ raised concerns about the maintenance⁢ of local forestry, suggesting overgrown trees⁢ near power lines contributed to ⁤the widespread outages. He called for a mandatory 30-meter setback between forestry and power lines.

Acknowledging the severity of the situation, the ESB, which described storm Darragh as the most severe storm to hit the electricity network in recent memory, admitted the prolonged outages⁣ in Leitrim. While they provided facilities in local hotels and pubs ⁤for residents⁣ to access hot meals, ⁣charge phones, and stay warm, they confirmed forestry played a role in ⁣the extended⁣ outages.

“We work with all stakeholders in terms of finding a path forward on this,” said an ESB spokesperson. “That is a particular issue up in that part‍ of⁤ the world.The area where the most prolonged outages have been have been consequently of forestry. I think that is fair to ⁣say. We are acutely conscious ‍of that as well.”

As of friday⁣ evening, approximately 100 households in Leitrim remained without power, ‍with restoration expected by Saturday evening. However, the experience has left many ⁢residents demanding a more proactive approach to supporting those impacted by future storms.