Disruptive and damaging winds of up to 130kph (81mph) are predicted as Ireland braces for Storm Deirdre.
Heavy rain is forecast for Saturday afternoon as part of a bad weather warning affecting much of the Republic and Northern Ireland.
Electricity network crews are on stand-by to tackle damage caused by the wet and windy conditions.
Forecaster Met Eireann said it expected flooding in some southern and western areas.
Fairly widespread rain this morning, with some heavy falls in places, especially in some southern and western areas, with spot flooding. Windy with strong and gusty southeast winds, but a period of stormy conditions, with some disruptive and damaging gusts will develop… pic.twitter.com/90FDXxOJnZ
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) December 15, 2018
It said: “Windy with strong and gusty south-east winds, but a period of stormy conditions, with some disruptive and damaging gusts will develop for a few hours this afternoon in parts of Munster and Connacht, and these severe winds will then transfer to northern and eastern counties during the evening and early tonight.”
The weather warning is valid from 3pm until midnight.
Are your elderly or vulnerable neighbours #StormDeirdre ready ? Help them prepare click here for more information https://t.co/5b7YlLqx7E pic.twitter.com/q0XqCoSf3r
— ESB Networks (@ESBNetworks) December 15, 2018
Power supplier ESB Networks reported a large fault in the Glengarriff area of Cork.
The Met Office has also issued a Yellow warning for heavy rain and strong winds across parts of Northern Ireland.
