LIVE: Thousands of homes without power as Storm Bert warnings remain in place

More than 30,000 homes, farms and businesses are without electricity as much of the country is being battered by strong winds and rain associated with Storm Bert.

According to ESB Networks' Powercheck, most of those without power are located along the western seaboard and in the north west of the country in particular.

A large number of faults were reported in the early hours of this Saturday morning and it's understood repair crews are being mobilised and deployed where it is safe and conditions allow.

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A number of warnings remain in place - including status red warnings for Cork and Galway and status orange warnings for six other counties - and the full extent of the impact of Storm Bert will become clearer later in the day.

Local authorities in the counties worst impacted by Storm Bert are reporting heavy flooding in places and there are several road closures in counties, Cork, Kerry, Sligo and Galway due to flooding or fallen trees.

⚠️Storm Bert⬇️
Very wet & windy this morning with widespread rain & flooding in places as warnings still in place️️

Showery rain will move in from the W this afternoon, heavy at times with hail & thunder possible☔️

Very strong & gusty southerly winds will ease for a time pic.twitter.com/aCIWHlhIDZ

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 23, 2024

Those in counties under status red warnings are being urged to "shelter in place' while those in all other counties are being advised to exercise caution and to not make unnecessary journeys.