Further wind warnings have been issued by Met Éireann as Storm Kathleen brings gale force southerly winds, with some severe and damaging gusts.
Around 34,000 homes, farms and businesses are currently impacted by power outages across the country, predominantly in Co. Mayo, Galway, Kerry and Cork, ESB Networks said.
In a statement at lunchtime today (Saturday, April 6), ESB Networks said that its crews are mobilised in impacted areas and responding to power outages where safe to do so.
ESB Networks is continuing to monitor the situation as Storm Kathleen tracks across the country. Further outages can be expected in impacted areas.
ESB Networks reminded the public to never, ever touch or approach fallen wires or damaged electricity network as they are live and extremely dangerous.
Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure to ESB Networks by calling 1800 372 999.
Wind warnings
Very strong and gusty southerly winds associated with Storm Kathleen will continue tomorrow (Sunday, April 7), with two new Status Yellow wind warning issued.
Donegal, Mayo and west Galway will be impacted by the new warning from 8:00p.m today until 4:00p.m tomorrow. Waterford and Wexford will be impacted between 04:00a.m and 07:00a.m.
A Status Orange wind warning is currently in place for Cork, Kerry and Waterford until 2:00p.m, as well as Galway and Mayo until 6:00p.m today.
However, Storm Kathleen will bring gale force southerly winds, with some severe and damaging gusts across the country with a Status Yellow warning in place until 8:00.pm.
A Status Yellow wind warning has also been issued by the UK Met Office for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry which will remain in place until 10:00p.m today.
Met Éireann warns of fallen trees, power outages, wave overtopping, coastal flooding and very difficult travelling conditions and debris all over the country today.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has advised that during any storm all workers must take the appropriate steps to ensure their safety, and that working at a height should be avoided entirely.
Weather forecast
Storm Kathleen is bringing very strong and gusty southerly winds to all areas today, with severe and damaging gusts in the south and west during the afternoon.
Strong gales on coasts with coastal flooding and wave overtopping are likely. Frequent showers will move northeastwards across the country through the day with highest temperatures of 12° to 15°.
Tonight will remain windy with a mix of clear spells and scattered heavy showers, some heavy and of hail with thunder possible in the southeast, the forecaster said.
Fresh to strong and gusty southwesterly winds are expected to reach near gale force on west and northwest coasts and in the southeast at times with lowest temperatures of 5° to 8°.
It will remain quite windy tomorrow with fresh to strong and gusty southwest winds and gales on western and northwestern coasts at times, with highest temperatures of 10° to 13°.
Blustery showers and sunny spells will continue to feed northeastwards across the country through the day, with some heavy showers possible. Winds will ease later in the evening.