A STATUS Orange weather warning has been issued for Co. Kerry, with heavy rainfall expected to hit the county before Storm Amy arrives in Ireland.
The first storm of the season is due to impact Ireland on Friday and is expected to develop rapidly, bringing strong south-westerly winds across the country and spells of heavy rain.
Before it hits, however, residents in Co. Kerry have been warned to expect significant rainfall, with flooding and difficult travelling conditions predicted.
The Status Orange rain warning comes into effect at 6am on Thursday and is in place until 8pm that evening.
Meanwhile, the west, north-west and south-west are also advised to expect heavy tomorrow.
A Status Yellow rain warning has been issued for the provinces of Munster and Connacht as well as counties Cavan, Donegal and Longford.
The warning is similarly in place from 6am until 8pm on Thursday, with localised flooding and difficult travelling conditions a possibility.
Storm Amy
Met Éireann has also issued a nationwide Status Yellow wind warning for Friday, when Storm Amy is expected to hit Ireland.
The warning comes into effect at midday on Friday and is currently in place for 12 hours, with people told to expect difficult travelling conditions, possible fallen trees, flying debris and loose objects displaced.
Britain’s Met Office has likewise issued a Status Yellow wind warning for the North in anticipation of the arrival of Storm Amy.
The warning is in place from 4pm on Friday until 6am on Saturday.
The Met Office has said there is a slight chance of damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, while power cuts are a possibility.
Delays to road, rail, air and ferry services are likely, while it adds there is a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris, as well as from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.
“Although there is still some uncertainty about the exact track Storm Amy will take, the system will bring gale force winds across northern and western regions, with gusts widely reaching 50 to 60 miles per hour inland in northern Britain and potentially reaching 70 to 80 miles per hour in places, with even stronger gusts on exposed coasts and hills, mainly in the northwest,” said Tom Crabtree, Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist.