Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan
THERE were 15,000 homes in the greater Killarney area without power at some stage on Monday as Storm Ophelia battered the county.
The number still without electricity was down to 2,800 early this afternoon and ESB Networks crews are working long and hard to restore a service to all homes.
It will be tomorrow or Thursday before some areas can be reached as trees have fallen on power lines in remote forestry areas or isolated fields which are difficult to gain access to.
The Mayor of Killarney said he appreciates that people are becoming anxious and frustrated but he said the repair crews are doing their level best to help everybody in need and the size of the task they faced is enormous.
Support crews from Scotland, England and France have been summoned to provide assistance to the local staff.
The mayor said one of the most serious issues arising from the electricity outages in the greater Killarney area is that farmers have no power to allow them to operate their milking machines. The situation is reaching crisis point with mobile generators in short supply.
“People are in an awful way and the cows are going to have to be milked as a matter of extreme urgency or there could be major difficulties,” Cllr Kelleher said.
Meanwhile, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare has thanked the public for the patience and understanding shows as officials dealt with the after effects of Hurricane Ophelia.
As of this Tuesday afternoon, the majority of services have returned to normal but challenges remain in some areas in relation to road access and the provision of water and electricity. The loss of mobile phone coverage is also posing a challenge.
Home help and public health nursing visits are operating as normal where possible and, in the small number of cases where staff haven’t been able to reach people, the HSE has been able to make phone contact.
Caherciveen Day Hospital did not operate today due to serious road access issues and Listowel Day Services was not provided to due to transport issues.
“These services will resume as soon as possible and people should contact their local service by phone if they have any questions,” a HSE spokeswoman said.
Work is continuing on rescheduling appointments which had to be cancelled on Monday and staff will be in touch with those affected.
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