Hatches battened? Here comes Storm Desmond
The Green Luas line is out of action between the city centre in Dublin due to a fallen tree on the tracks.
A number of flights heading in and out of Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Farranfore Airports are delayed or cancelled.
ALL COUNTIES: Gardaí across the country reporting wet roads & difficult driving conditions - for current reports see https://t.co/xIOpAblVS1
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) December 4, 2015
Meanwhile, the Road Safety Authority is urging motorists to avoid any unnecessary journeys as severe flooding may affect many routes
ESB say power in Baltrasna, North Dublin has been restored. Just under 2,000 outages nationally #StormDesmond https://t.co/rEH6vAWQI3
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 4, 2015
Thousands of people are without power across the country tonight.
The stormy weather has caused blackouts on the Meath, Dublin border and in Cork, Kerry and Galway.
In total almost six thousand properties are without electricity supply.
Almost 3,000 people are without power and some flights have been cancelled #StormDesmond https://t.co/rEH6vAWQI3 pic.twitter.com/42VHctQaLE
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 4, 2015
The National Co-ordination Group for Severe Weather Emergencies met yesterday and will meet again in the afternoon today to assess the current weather forecast and flood threats.
Siobhan Ryan from Met Éireann is urging people to take the Red warning seriously, saying "people won't be able to get out the door" in some parts of the country tomorrow.
"With a red warning, you do really have to take action," she said. "With the rain tomorrow, people won't be able to get out their doors in parts of the west and north-west.
"I'd really exercise caution, even getting into the car. It's also going to be windy, with driving rain at the west and north-west coasts. There's even an orange level warning for the midlands, so it's not a good day (tomorrow) for the entire country."
Met Éireann has upgraded its weather warning for parts of the country today to the highest level - red - as Storm Desmond prepares to hit.
Connacht, Donegal, Kerry and Clare will be hit by in excess of 70 millimetres of rain overnight and into tomorrow.
Even greater amounts are expected on higher ground.
Drivers are being warned to take extra care on the roads, as conditions worsen throughout the weekend.
It will be windy everywhere.
The rain will arrive into the west and northwest later this afternoon, extending eastwards this evening.
Wind and rain warnings are in effect right across the country, including the level read warning for rainfall.
Southwest winds are due to increase in strength and it will be very gusty, with some severe gusts for west and northwest coastal areas.
The highest temperatures will be 10C to 12C.
A RED rainfall warning has been issued for Connacht, Donegal, Clare and Kerry with more than 70mm of rain expected between 6pm tonight and 3am Sunday morning. Local flooding is expected, possibly severe, in some areas and which may block roads and affect transport infrastucture.
A level ORANGE rainfall warning is in operation for Cavan, Clare, Cork and Limerick between 9pm tonight and 3am Sunday.
High winds are expected across the country with a level ORANGE wind warning is in operation for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo throughout today and until 6pm tomorrow.
