HEAVY WINDS AND rain last night have led to interruptions in power around the country, with thousands of homes now without electricity.

ESB Networks said there are around 2,000 homes without electricity at the moment, and crews are out working on the outages. The outages are mainly in the Munster area.

With the gusts and stormy conditions expected to continue today, AA Roadwatch is warning motorists to take care on the roads.

ESB Networks is reporting clusters of service interruptions around the country, from the Kildare area through to Cork, Waterford, Clonmel, Kilkenny, Bantry, Killorglin, and Castlerea,

Faults have also been reported across the country and all of the interruptions and faults can be viewed on the ESB Network’s PowerCheck page online.

Met Eireann reports that it will stay very windy this morning, but the winds will begin to become less powerful as the afternoon progresses – although north Ulster will continue to experience windy conditions.

In true Irish style, along with the severe gusts there will also be sunshine and showers. The showers will become more isolated later today, with top temperatures ranging from 7 – 10 degrees. Tonight, we can expect it to become mainly dry, with showers confined to western and norther coastal areas, says Met Éireann. Some rain might develop along south coasts.

Roads

According to AA Roadwatch, drivers should watch out for debris on the roads this morning, especially on minor roads. If you are taking to the road today, be aware that high-sided vehicles are particularly vulnerable when on open or exposed roads, and secondary roads may experience wind-blown debris.

A truck overturned in Co Laois yesterday due to high winds, but thankfully nobody was injured in the incident.

At the moment, there are strong cross winds on the M7 Limerick/Dublin Road between J21 Borris in Ossory and J16 Portlaoise East, while just outside Tullow a tree is blocking the Tullow/Castledermot road (418).

Another fallen tree is blocking the road between Scotch Corner and Ardaghy in Monaghan, with a third on the local road between Carrick-on-Shannon and Strokestown at Kilmore in Leitrim, and a fourth in Cork blocking the Clonakilty/Ardfield Road just before the causeway, AA Roadwatch informs us.

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