Worst over as storms subside - Met Eireann

While further rain and wind are expected today following yesterday's wild weather and flooding, the worst is over, according to Met Eireann.

Heavy winds, falling trees and flooding led to 12,000 households, mostly in the midlands and south, losing electricity, while telephone service to 3,000 households in the north-west was cut off because of high winds. Eircom said it expected services to be restored by this evening.

A spokesman for the ESB said 4,000 households in the midlands had been reconnected by last night, leaving 8,000 households in Kerry and Cork without electricity. He said it was hoped to have all customers reconnected in time for Christmas.

The heavy rains caused traffic chaos and flooding across the country. In Co Galway the storm, which affected areas around Ballinasloe in particular earlier in the week, was abating, but all main rivers were flooding and problems could arise, a spokesman for the fire brigade said.

He also warned that a continuation of heavy rain and gales could cause more flooding in the city and county over the Christmas weekend.

There was substantial flooding on many roads in the midlands, and gardai in Longford/Westmeath and the Portlaoise divisions issued warnings through the local Midland Radio 3 for motorists to take precautions and not go on unnecessary journeys.

There was heavy flooding of farmland in the Granard area of Co Longford and stock had to be moved. There were similar problems in the lower Shannon area around Shannonbridge, and there was disruption to traffic when falling trees blocked a number of side roads in Co Laois.

In Waterford, the Suir burst its banks and rendered the quayside - one of the main routes in and out of the city - impassable.

Gardai in Carlow said there had been a number of minor traffic accidents as a result of the weather, with trees down in several places.

A spokesman for Met Eireann said there would be further rain today, although it should clear towards evening. It would be windy again but not stormy, although there was always an "outside chance" of a sudden gale.

Christmas Day will be cold, windy and may feature some showers, turning wintry with some sleet as the day progresses, he added.

In Northern Ireland, thousands of homes were left without power as severe gales swept across the area last night. Lisburn, Co Antrim, was the worst-hit area with up to 3,000 homes and properties, mostly in the town centre, plunged into darkness.