Storm Kathleen: Caution urged as status yellow wind warning in effect for Clare
Motorists urged to limit unnecessary travel
Motorists in Clare are being urged not to take any unnecessary journeys this Saturday as Storm Kathleen is battering many parts of the country.
Met Éireann is warning there will be "very strong and gusty" winds in Clare with a status yellow wind warning in remaining in place until 8pm.
There have no reports of any major incidents so far but the worst of weather is not expected until the early afternoon.
The status yellow wind warning, which came into effect at 5am, says "Very strong and gusty southerly winds" can be expected in Clare. According to Met Éireann, possible impacts include fallen trees, difficult travel conditions, debris, loose objects displaced and some coastal flooding.
Separately, status orange warnings are in place for five counties which are set to experience the worst effects of Storm Kathleen.
The warning for Cork, Kerry and Waterford came into effect at 7am and remains valid until 2pm while the warning for Mayo and Galway came into effect at 9am. It remains valid until 6pm.
"Storm Kathleen will bring gale force southerly winds, with some severe and damaging gusts," stated Met Éireann which says possible impacts in the counties under a status orange warning include: very difficult travel conditions, fallen trees, some power outages, coastal flooding and wave overtopping.