Met Eireann has upgraded a yellow weather warning for all of Ireland to orange for seven counties.
The Status Orange wind warning now applies to Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford.
Met Eireann said in a forecast: "Storm Ellen will track over Ireland on Wednesday night and during Thursday bringing a period of severe and potentially damaging winds.
"Associated heavy rain will also bring a risk of flooding.
"Due to the combination of storm surge, spring tides and onshore winds there is a potential risk of coastal flooding."
The warning is valid from 9pm tomorrow night (Wednesday) to midday on Thursday.
The original Status Yellow warning still applies to the rest of the country, including Northern Ireland.
The message for it reads: "It will become very windy on Wednesday night and throughout the day on Thursday. Severe gusts are likely and there is a risk of some disruption.
"Due to the combination of storm surge, spring tides and onshore winds there is a potential risk of coastal flooding."
This warning runs from 9pm Wednesday to 11.59pm on Thursday, meaning it will still apply to the Status Orange-affected counties after midday that day.
