An orange weather alert is in place for Co Clare in advance of Storm Ellen.
Met Éireann have issued an Orange Alert for the county which is the second highest level of alert that can be issued by the agency. Clare County Council have followed this up with a weather warning.
Storm Ellen will track over Ireland this evening and tonight, bringing severe and damaging winds. Met Éireann has warned that heavy rainfall and storm surge will result in some flooding.
Clare County Council have advised members of the public to exercise caution and stated that Storm Ellen is expected to be an exceptional storm for this time of year. Coastal areas should be avoided, local authority staff have said with Met Éireann advising against camping during the Orange Alert.
Business owners, caravan parks, homeowners and members of the public are reminded that caravans should be securely tied down and any street furniture, including parasols and awnings, should be taken indoors or fully secured. Motorists should drive with caution and be alert for any debris on roads. There is a possibility of flash flooding.
Heavy rainfall is forecast for tonight and over the coming days. According to Met Éireann, heavy and thundery showers are expected on Thursday and wet and windy weather is expected for the rest of the week, with more showery conditions for the weekend and further rain on Monday.
It is expected that Clare roads will be covered in debris with flooding likely and the strong possibility of power outages.
The Status Orange Wind Warning is in place for Munster as well as Counties Galway and Mayo from 21:00 on Wednesday, 19th August, to 06:00 on Thursday, 20th August.
Members of the public wishing to report storm damage of an emergency nature are advised to ring the emergency services on 999.
