Clare Council co-ordinates Storm Éowyn community hubs in five locations across the county

Clare County Council has confirmed that they are coordinating a local level response, to help the needs of those who have been significantly impacted by Storm Éowyn.

A Storm Éowyn community helpline has also been set up at Áras Contae an Chláir (County Clare building), with five community response hubs established in affected locations across the county from this morning, January 28. 

The helpline, which you can reach on 065-6846386, will be active from 8am to 8pm, and will provide advice, while giving direction towards supports available for the duration of the humanitarian response.

The five community hubs will be located in Ennistymon, Kilrush, Flagmount, Tulla, and Doolin/Lisdoonvarna from today, providing people with facilities for personal hygiene and power sources.

These hubs will also act as a source of information and supports as required, with Clare County Council having a staff presence at each of the locations between 10am and 4pm, including weekends.

Interim Chief Executive Dr Carmel Kirby has paid tribute to the community response during and after the storm.

She said, “There has been a huge response from community groups and businesses across the county, and this support is invaluable during these unprecedented weather events. As the lead authority for the local coordination group, Clare County Council has been working closely since before Storm Éowyn with the ESB, Úisce Éireann, the HSE, An Garda Síochana and other relevant bodies to coordinate available supports and assistance,

"Drawing on shared information from all these bodies, Clare County Council has identified the areas in greatest need and established hubs for these locations and will also consider smaller satellite locations as required," Dr Kirby concluded. 

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In North Clare, the Community Centre in Ennistymon (V95 X8XC) will act as a community hub, and will be open from 7am to 10pm daily. 

Kilrush Golf Club (V15 W025) will be West Clare's point of support, operating from 10am to 4pm each day. 

Two community hubs will be taking place in East Clare.

For the Flagmount/Killanena area, the Loughraney Community Centre (V94 YW70) will open from 10am to 4pm. For the rest of the East, Cnoc na Gaoithe (V95 Y5N5), in Tulla, will open for resources, operating at the same time. 

Doolin Hotel (V95 DE2X) is set to look after North Clare in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn, until Thursday, January 30. Taking over on Friday, January 31, is the Imperial Hotel (V95 HF5X) which will be open all day, and operate until Tuesday, February 4. 

Currently, there are at least 10,000 households, farms and businesses without power in the county. According to powercheck.ie, the estimated restoration times for some areas in Clare is Tuesday, February 4. 

Telecommunications and water supplies are also significantly affected in some areas of the county.

In most cases, this is a knock-on-effect of power outages, with assessments continuing. Uisce Éireann are also working on restoring water supplies across the county.