Minister urges areas to ready themselves for flooding
The Minister for the Environment has been contacting county managers in preparation for the effects of the storm currently battering the south and east of the country.
Dick Roche has instructed his officials to ensure that the necessary arrangements, including sandbags, are in place to combat flooding in vulnerable areas.
Minister Roche has also spoken to Minister of Defence Willie O’Dea, to make sure that local Civil Defence Units deal with local difficulties.
A freephone number is to be set up by county councils, to allow members of the public to keep in touch with the relevant authorities.
People are also being encouraged to listen to their local radio stations for updates on the situation as it develops.
ESB members are working to restore electricity to thousands of homes in Co Cork following power black outs.
Met Éireann forecaster John Eagleton said the south coast is currently bearing the brunt of the storm.
He said Munster is being swept by an east to south-east wind with average speeds of 40 miles per hour, gusting up to 55 mph.
Mr Eagleton added that the weather is likely to get worse during the course of the afternoon.
