The first storm of 2018, Eleanor, is due to make landfall this afternoon, with gusts of up to 130km/h expected across 14 counties.

Meanwhile, 1700 households in the Swinford / Kiltimagh area were without power early this morning ,with a 1000 ESB customers in the Headford area also without a supply.

Power went down in Swinford at 6.25 this morning. The ESB said it was due to a fault on the line. Crews worked to repair the fault and it was restored before 9am.

Power went down in the Headford area just before 7am this morning, again the ESB said it was due to a fault on the line and crews were working to fix it.  About half of those affected had the power restored before 9am, estimated time of restoration is 10.30am this morning

Met Éireann has issued a status orange wind warning for Munster, Leinster and south Galway effective between 4pm and 9pm today.

Eleanor is expected to bring average wind speeds of up to 80km/h, with the potential for some damaging gusts of 110km/h to 130km/h.

It will cause high seas along Atlantic coasts, leading to a risk of flooding in exposed areas, the forecaster has warned.

Met Éireann has also issued a status yellow wind warning for the rest of the country from 4pm this afternoon until tomorrow evening (Wednesday). Wind speeds in these areas will reach up to 65km/h, with gusts of up to 110km/h.