Lightning strikes – leaving thousands in Kilkenny without power
By COLIN BARTLEY
THOUSANDS of Kilkenny people are currently without power after unexpectedly powerful thunderstorms hit the county.
Close to 1,000 homes from all around the county are currently without power.
Homes as far north as Castlecomer to as far south as Glenmore are affected, as the frequency and strength of the thunderstorms and lightning strikes caught many by surprise.
Faults have been reported in Glenmore, Rosbercon, Mount Misery, Inistioge, The Rower, Graiguenamanagh, Skeaghvasteen, Goresbridge, Thomastown, Ballyhale, Bennetsbridge, Purcell’s Inch and Castlecomer, affecting some 800 homes or more.
An ESB spokesperson told KilkennyNews.ie: “We are currently working to repair a fault and will restore power as quickly as possible.”
Met Eireann has now issued a Status Yellow Thunder warning for Kilkenny, as well as Wexford, South Tipperary and Waterford.
The national forecaster warns that localised thunderstorms could last for up to 12 hours, bringing heavy rain and the risk of spot flooding. The Met Eireann warning is valid from now until 3am tomorrow.