LIVE: Met Eireann issues red and orange weather warnings as Storm Amy bears down on Ireland
Homeowners and businesses urged to take action as power outages are likely over the coming days
MET Éireann has upgraded its weather warnings for several counties along the west coast ahead of the arrival of Storm Amy on Friday.
The national forecaster is warning that power outages are likely this weekend while travelling conditions will be 'very difficult' in places over the coming days.
Status yellow rain warnings are now in place for 14 counties in the west of the country while a status orange warning came into effect in Kerry at 6am. A thunderstorm warning for the six counties in Connacht remains valid until 2pm.
A status yellow wind warning for all of Ireland will come into effect from 12pm on Friday and Met Éireann says the warnings for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo will be upgraded to status orange from 2pm on Friday.
Potential impacts in those counties include fallen trees, damage to power lines and possible power outages, very difficult travelling conditions and possible wave overtopping.
Separately, as Storm Amy bears down on Ireland, a status red storm warning has been issued for coastal waters off the north west coast.
The warning will be in place from Loop Head to Rossan Point to Fair Head from 2pm on Friday until 8pm on Friday.
"Southwest to west winds may reach violent storm force 11 at times," it reads.
A number of local authorities across the country have convened their weather assessment teams and crews have been put on standby and will be deployed when needed, once its safe to do so.
Motorists are being urged to exercise extra caution, particularly at times when warnings are in place.