Satellite image of Storm Isha captured by Copernicus in Jan 2024.

The EU’s emergency response coordination centre (ERCC) has activated Copernicus rapid satellite mapping of Storm Éowyn on behalf of Ireland.

Copernicus satellite imagery is now being processed for eight key areas: Sligo; Westport and Castlebar in Mayo; Inverin coastline; Oranmore and Galway city; Ennis, Lahinch and Ennistymon in Clare and Limerick city.

The EU’s satellite system, Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS), captures and processes high data images from space.

EMS says the images “provides information for emergency response in relation to different types of disasters, including meteorological hazards”.

It’s hope the satellite data will help with the “response and recovery”, particularly in hard to reach areas.

Ireland’s electricity board, ESB, says hundreds of thousands of people are currently without power.

“Extreme, damaging and destructive winds associated with Storm Éowyn have continued to cause widespread and extensive damage to the electricity network across the country with approx. 725,000 homes, farms and businesses without power. The damage nationwide to the electricity network and impact on customers is unprecedented.”

ESB says it is mobilising teams to carry out repairs, but that it will take time.

“We expect that power restoration will take a significant number of days and will take more than a week in the worst impacted areas.”

Storm Éowyn has also been battering the UK with Northern Ireland and Scotland particularly affected.

The UK’s emergency response unit, COBR, has also requested satellite imagery from the EU’s Copernicus service for two areas of southern Scotland, Ayr and Stranraer.

Copernicus EMS says that the first images should be ready within 24 hours for the eight areas of Ireland. Satellite data for the UK is expected to be ready in the early hours of Sunday morning.