ESB helicopters survey storm damage over heavily forested areas

The aftermath of Storm Éowyn has left extensive damage across South Leitrim, with large sections of forestry complicating power restoration efforts. ESB has deployed helicopters to survey the destruction from above, as fallen trees have created near-impenetrable barriers to infrastructure on the ground.

Paddy O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, has described the scene as overwhelming. “I can only imagine what it must have looked like from a low-flying helicopter yesterday,” he said. “Almost a kilometre of forestry is lying like a carpet over what used to be power lines.”

The sheer scale of the damage has made it impossible for ground crews to assess certain areas, forcing ESB to rely on aerial surveillance to plan their next steps. Large portions of the affected regions contain a mixture of state-owned and privately owned forests, further complicating access for repair teams. “The patchwork of ownership in these forested areas is a real challenge,” O’Rourke explained. “One section might belong to Coillte, while the next is privately held, and that slows everything down.”

Despite the dramatic images captured from above, frustration remains high among rural residents who are still without power. Many argue that while helicopters provide a useful assessment tool, the real focus should be on getting boots on the ground to clear pathways and restore electricity.

“The state needs to take control here,” O’Rourke insisted. “Regardless of ownership, there needs to be immediate action to allow ESB to enter these forests and carry out necessary repairs.”

Jimmy Clancy, a native of Glenade in County Leitrim, worked with the ESB for 42 years and believes closer scrutiny of forestry regulations is needed to prevent future widespread power outages and property damage.

“There’s not enough space between the trees,” Clancy says, describing the dense forestry near power lines. “All those trees need to be cut back. It has to be done now—not in ten years.”

Clancy has witnessed multiple storms during his decades with the ESB, but he says the recent weather events have been unusually severe. According to him, two of the worst storms struck just months apart, causing extensive damage to sheds, cottages, and power lines in his local community.

While helicopters continue to provide aerial insights into the extent of the devastation, many question when real progress will be made in clearing the fallen trees and reconnecting isolated homes to the power grid.

“In many cases, the necessary repairs to make those small connections work again is very minimal and would only require a small number of ESB personnel for a short period of time,” O’Rourke stated. 

Despite ongoing efforts by ESB and external crews from the UK. A team from Leicester recently arrived in the Carrigallen area, bringing some homes back online. However, many rural areas still await action, especially where heavy forestry has made access challenging. “There needs to be a balanced approach,” O’Rourke urged.