Updated at 8.10pm

MET ÉIREANN HAS issued a Status Orange wind warning for seven counties and a Status Yellow warning for 10 counties as Storm Brian is set to hit Ireland this weekend.

The warning applies for counties Galway, Mayo, Wexford, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Waterford for this Saturday 21 October.

A Status Yellow rainfall warning has also been announced for tomorrow 20 October for 10 counties, most of which are located in the west of the country.

They are Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford. The Yellow Weather warning will remain in effect until Saturday.

The Road Safety Authority is asking road users to “exercise caution” while using the roads on Friday night into Saturday.

It forecasts that winds will reach mean speeds of 65-80km/h, while gusts will range between 110-130km/h.

There will be risk of coastal flooding in areas as Brian tracks eastwards across central and southern parts of Ireland.

There is a separate Status Yellow wind and rainfall warning in place for the rest of the country, as we’re set for a wet, windy weekend.

The RSA had the following advice for road users during the storm:

• Beware of objects being blown out onto the road. Expect the unexpected. Watch out for falling/fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road
• Drivers should allow extra space between themselves and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds
• Use dipped headlights at all times.

And, for drivers in wet conditions, the RSA advised taking extra care by slowing down on wet roads, be aware of the dangers of aquaplaining on motorways and avoiding flooded routes.

Thousands of people across these counties are still without power, after Storm Ophelia battered the country on Monday.

It is expected that any further adverse weather is likely to make it more difficult for ESB to restore power to the 74,000 homes and businesses still without.

ESB has said that thousands of staff members are working to restore power to all of those still affected, with Enniscorthy, Waterford, New Ross, Bandon, Dunmanway and Fermoy the worst hit.

The National Emergency Coordination Group has said that it is continuing to help coordinate the restoration of power and water services, as well as the reopening of roads after fallen trees blocked numerous routes in the south of the country.

Read: Storm Ophelia surfer: ‘The picture makes the ocean look rough… but it wasn’t really that significant’

Read: Thank you: A letter from my Ophelia-hit house to those who helped us