High winds 'to continue for much of day'
Met Éireann has said that high winds are set to continue for much of the day after the agency issued a red alert - its most serious weather warning - forcCounties Cork and Kerry.
A large storm is set to hit the south-west coast and continue across the country with wind speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour forecast.
By 0900 but caution, gusts will exceed these pic.twitter.com/NQ8nuZYsCr
— John O'Regan (@OrtOffshore) February 12, 2014
There's also a warning of high seas and there's a risk of structural damage.
Pat Clarke of Met Eireann says the winds will continue for much of the day.
"The winds will start this morning along the south and south-west coast and other areas will start off with no wind," Mr Clarke said.
"And then the winds will increase gradually as the morning and afternoon progresses."
#storm heavy rain high winds in cork city #cork pic.twitter.com/n3MGbYq2Md
— Dan Linehan (@lensdan) February 12, 2014
Mr Clarke said that as the depression moves in over land winds may ease for a while as the eye of the storm passes, but that will be short-lived.
"Certainly there will be strong winds everywhere eventually, and tonight they will moderate to some extent," he said.
"But it's going to turn cold and tonight we could have some wintry showers again."
Winds to 130 kph on Sherkin island already and this thing is only clearing it's throat! #stormdamian pic.twitter.com/B4WxLTbDhM
— Rónán McLaughlin (@romclaughlin) February 12, 2014
