Storm Betty: Heavy rain and strong winds batter Ireland overnight leaving damage and disruption

Clean up operations are underway across the country today after Storm Betty battered Ireland overnight, causing flooding and road closures due to fallen trees and debris, and leaving thousands without electricity.

ESB crews are mobilising this morning to tackle power outages with hundreds of homes and businesses without power.

Storm Betty caused flooding on some roads in the south of the country, with Cork hit worst by flash flooding in areas such as Carrigaline, Dunmanway and Clonakilty.  

There was traffic disruption on some roads across Co Cork and frantic scenes in Co Waterford as a boat broke free from its berth and crashed into a harbour in Dungarvan.

A number of matches and outdoor events were cancelled, and emergency crews in the south of the country cleared debris including fallen trees. There is widespread reports of debris on roads and motorists are urged to take care.

Met Eireann had issued a status yellow wind and rain warning for the entire country on Friday, as well as an orange warning for seven counties, warning of structural damage, falling trees, localised flooding and power outages, came into effect from 8.35pm and 9pm on Friday night and expired at 1am and 3am on Saturday. The warnings applied to Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Tipperary, and Waterford – with the rain warning also applying to Kerry.

Meteorologist Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather said: "#StormBetty has left the stage with the last of the rain clearing the North now and a mix of sunny spells and showers.

"Winds remaining strong but slowly easing through the day and much calmer by tonight before picking up a little again in the morning."