First of two storms brings heavy rain to Ireland

The first storm of the season has hit the island of Ireland with the second due over the weekend.

Around 3,000 homes farms and businesses were without electricity at 7am on Friday as a result of Storm Austen.

An orange rain warning came into effect for Cork, Kerry and Waterford late on Thursday night as Austen arrived. That alert lifted at 5am.

A similar warning for Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow was issued from 2am to 8am on Friday morning.

A yellow rain and wind warning remains in effect for Munster and Leinster until 10am on Friday.

ESB Networks said crews have been deployed in all areas impacted by power outages to carry out the necessary restoration work, where safe to do so.

Storm Austen was forecast to bring “intense rain and flooding”.

Met Éireann warned of difficult travel conditions with the potential for flooding.

(Press Association Graphics)

PA Graphics

That storm is set to be followed over the weekend by Storm Boelo, with the northern part of the island is forecast to more affected by that separate weather front.

The UK Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning for Northern Ireland from 6pm on Saturday to 3pm on Sunday.

The forecaster warned of 50 to 60mph gusts, with winds up to 65 to 75mph in exposed areas.