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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
John Patrick Kierans & Sam Roberts

Met Eireann issue new warnings as Storm Ellen aftermath brings thunder and flooding

Met Eireann has issued new warnings as Ireland deals with the aftermath of Storm Ellen, with more thunder and flooding set to hit.

Carlow and Kilkenny are now under a Status Yellow wind alert from 10pm until midnight on Thursday.

It reads: "Very strong southerly winds with some damaging gusts will result in disruption in places."

While forecasters issued an updated warning for Dublin, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath, Cork, Kerry and Waterford.

A cyclist is hit by a wave as he cycles along the shoreline. (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

Some coastal flooding is possible in these areas with further disruption from "severe and damaging gusts".

The Yellow alert is in place from 5pm on Thursday until 5am on Friday morning.

It reads: "Very strong winds (south to southeast veering southwest tonight) with severe and damaging gusts will result in further disruption. Some coastal flooding will occur also."

The entire nation is also under a Status Yellow rainfall warning from 9pm this evening until 5am on Friday.

A forecaster added: "Heavy squally downpours and thunderstorms will bring a risk of spot flooding at times today and tonight."

It comes as thousands of homes and businesses could remain without power tonight after Storm Ellen wreaked havoc across the country.

Some 194,000 ESB Networks customers lost power as ferocious winds ripped through the south of Ireland, with around 90,000 since having theirs restored.

"Tens of thousands" will also have their power restored throughout the day and evening, but many across the South, West and Midlands will remain without power tonight.

People run from waves as they crash ashore at the strand in Youghal, Co. Cork as storm Ellen begins to lash Ireland (Damien Storan)

The public is being advised to take extreme caution and not to go near any fallen electricity lines, and to report any damage of electricity infrastructure to 1800 372 999.

Thankfully, no deaths or serious injuries have been reported since the serious storm hit.

Darragh O'Brien, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, said: “I understand there are a lot of homes and businesses without power today.

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien (Gareth Chaney/Collins)

"Many trees have fallen, road conditions are treacherous in places, and some towns are dealing with the aftermath of flooding.

"Our local authority response teams are working around the clock, as are ESB crews and we thank them most sincerely for their work.

"I would urge people to remain vigilant, slow down on roads, do not approach fallen trees or electricity wires, and be aware that there is still a yellow weather warning in place.”

Trees being in full leaf led to many falling and blocking roads nationwide, with response teams working since early morning to clear roads as quickly as possible.

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