One taken to hospital as Laois fire services attend 50 callouts during Storm Darragh

One person was taken to hospital following a crash during Storm Darragh in Laois. 

Laois Fire and Rescue Services had 50 callouts during the storm and Laois County Council  are advising motorists to take care around the county as debris and fallen trees remain an issue. 

They issued an update outlining the situation across Laois. “There were five vehicle related callouts with occupant of one RTC(Road Traffic Collision)  transferred to hospital,” they stated.   

“There are travel related impacts across County Laois this morning arising from multiple fallen trees. Busy night for fire crews across County Laois with in excess of 50 callouts and incidents throughout the night with crews encountering other fallen trees and blockages as they progressed between calls. The majority have been made safe and cleared with the remaining requiring reassessment, and/or other assistance in daylight hours and when safe to do so. 

All major routes are passable with care, crews are continuing to work to clear lanes in a few locations on N80 and R445. Known locations have been signed or have hazard warnings put in place,” they stated. 

Laois Fire and Rescue Services said: “All stations were deployed throughout the night and tidy ups have commenced be Municipal District crews this morning as required.” 

Motorists are advised that fallen trees and hazards may be present on the road network that have not yet been notified or cleared and they should take extra caution when getting out and about on the road network today and across the weekend.” 

They warned that fallen trees may contain electrical cables and should not be approached. 

Meanwhile, the ESB is reporting power outages across the county. Crews are working to restore power to thousands of customers with outages reported in areas including Portlaoise, Portarlington, Mountrath, Mountmellick, Ballyfin and Ratheniska. 

Meanwhile, the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), Met Éireann and other stakeholders met again this morning to discuss the impact of Storm Darragh. 

While the brunt of the storm has passed, Met Éireann advises that Storm Darragh will continue to bring very windy or stormy conditions this morning with winds gradually moderating during the afternoon. A Status Yellow Wind warning will remain in effect for all of Ireland until 3.00pm today. 

Impacts from last night’s winds include disruption to transport services including ferries, bus and rail. There may also be some delays at airports. Those planning to travel today are advised to check the relevant transport websites in advance. 

There has also been significant disruption to electricity supply throughout the country, with a greater impact than Storm Ophelia with 395,000 customers without supply as of 7am this morning, with the estimated restoration being a multiple day event. Teams with the assistance of Defence Forces are out repairing the damage to the network and the public can monitor www.PowerCheck.ie  regarding power restoration times. 

Uisce Éireann have asked customers to conserve water in the areas which have been impacted by power outages.

ESB Networks is highlighting the dangers posed by fallen live wires and is advising the public and the emergency services to stay away from these fallen cables and to report such cases to it immediately. ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999.