November 13, 2023: Emergency services respond after a fallen tree hits a car in Co Meath. RollingNews.ie

More than 100,000 Irish homes and businesses were left without power on Monday morning, November 13, after Storm Debi made landfall. 

Storm force winds associated with Storm Debi caused considerable damage to the electricity network overnight, predominantly in the West, Midwest, Midlands, and Northeast of Ireland, ESB said in a statement on Monday morning.

The damage, ESB said, is mainly attributable to lightning and fallen trees on overhead lines as a result of the high winds.

As of 10:30 am on Monday, 80,000 homes, farms, and businesses are without power. Most impacted counties include Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath, Meath, Cavan and Louth.

At 7:45 am this morning, approximately 100,000 customers were without electricity.  

ESB said all available resources were deployed as Storm Debi clears the country and ESB Networks crews are currently in the process of assessing damage, making the network safe, and repairing electricity supply where safe to do so.

Crews expect to restore power to the majority of impacted customers through today Monday. However, due to the scale of the damage to the electricity network, some customers in localised areas will remain without supply overnight.

ESB says that 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 1800 372 999.

A Status Yellow Wind and Rain Warning was issued by Met Éireann for every county in Ireland lasting until 3 pm on Monday, with winds reaching up to 130 k/hr during the morning.

A Status Yellow Gale warning from Belfast Lough to Howth Head to Hook Head and on the Irish Sea remains in effect until 5:30 pm on Monday.

In an announcement before the storm made landfall, Met Éireann warned of extreme winds "with potential danger to life" and issued Status Red weather warnings for 14 counties in Ireland. The warnings have since expired. 

Schools throughout the country also delayed opening on Monday morning due to the weather warnings. 

Storm Debi also had a major impact on transportation services around Ireland, with four outgoing flights canceled at Dublin Airport by 7 am. 

The Luas said there would be no Red or Green Line services before 10 am, while Irish Rail said there are speed restrictions and delays on all of its services. 

Bus Éireann and Dublin Coach also canceled a number of services on Monday morning.

An Post delayed the opening of its services in certain areas on Monday until 11am. A postwoman has been hospitalized after being struck by flying debris in Co Limerick, but An Post said the woman's injuries were not serious. 

Fallen trees have been reported across the country, while there has been coastal flooding in Galway City and nearby Oranmore. 

A number of residents were trapped in a cul-de-sac in the Cam area of Edgeworthstown, Co Longford after several fallen trees blocked their exit route.