Drivers are being urged to take special care on the roads.

Hundreds of homes have been left without power thanks to Storm Francis. ESB has said that it is currently dealing with large faults in the Kilkenny area, and the Waterford area. Cork and Dundalk are also experiencing power outages to a lesser extent. Regular updates and more information on the power cuts can be found here. ESB also warned that fallen electricity wires are live and dangerous. People are being urged never to approach or touch them. Call the emergency service immediately on 1850 372 999 (+353 21 2382410), 999 or 112 if you see any. Met Éireann issued a Status Orange weather warning for 12 counties (Mayo, Galway, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Wexford, Cork, Kerry and Waterford), and have since offered an update, warning that the heavy rain may continue for longer than expected. It said that further intense rainfall associated with Storm Francis is expected at times today. This combined with overnight accumulations will lead to some flash flooding. The warning is now in place until 6pm on Tuesday (25 August). This comes after Storm Ellen left thousands of homes without power last week, at a time in the year where storms do not normally have such an impact.