Updates: Force of Storm Ashley sweeping through Mayo

The force of Storm Ashley has been sweeping through Mayo earlier than originally expected today.

People around the county have awoken to the sound of heavy winds and rain as the Status Orange weather alert kicked in from 10 a.m.

The public is advised to avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors, if possible, until the worst of the storm passes tonight at around 8 p.m.

Winds gusting up to 140Kmh have been recorded in Clew Bay.

According to Carlow Weather, a 64-foot wave has been recorded by M6 Buoy off the west coast.

Nick Critch of Weather Alerts Ireland said throughout the day winds will increase in western areas, where the storm will be witnessed at its strongest.

Gusts up to and possibly exceeding 130km/h in the west to north west coastal counties are forecast.

Some models have shown gusts in excess of 140km/h in coastal areas.

"For parts of western Galway and Mayo some models have gusts as high as 150km/h or even higher.

"Inland counties are expecting gusts exceeding 100kmh and higher gusts on higher ground or exposed areas," he explained.

Some of the other issues expected are coastal flooding, localised flooding, downed trees and branches, downed power lines, treacherous driving conditions and debris.

The message from Met. Eireann is "Please 'Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry' at all times during this event as conditions will be dangerous, especially near coasts."

Many sporting and other events have been cancelled. A number of businesses have closed early due to the strong guests.

The impact of Storm Ashley has left hundreds of homes across Mayo without a power supply.

They include up to 800 properties in the Castlebar area, up to 1,000 in the Ballinrobe district, 200 in the Erris area, 400 in Cong and 100 in Charlestown.

There have also been outages reported in the Achill and Westport areas.

ESB crews are restoring power when it is safe to do so.

An ESB Networks crew is at the scene at Facefield, Claremorris, were an electric cable is down.

Wires have also fallen onto the roadway between Lecanvey and Killsallagh, Westport.

Mayo County Council is reporting that a three is down on the N5 hard shoulder near Swinford while a fallen tree has been reported on the Taughneen to Derryfad Road in Claremorris.

* Trees down on the road at Cloonfinish, Swinford.

* Tree down at Tubbermore, Keenagh.

* Tree down on the N59 near Ardagh.

* Tree blocking the L159146 at Carracanada.

* Tree down on the R345 and L1609 at Kilmaine, The Neale and Cong.

* Trees down on the N59 Newport to Mulranny Road near Derrada National School.

* A tree is down at Pound Road, Westport, on the fire station end.

* Fallen trees and wires are blocking the R325 Kilmovee Road.

* A tree blocking the road at Lecarrow, Crossmolina, has been cleared.

* A tree is blocking the N60 at Brize, Claremorris.

* A tree is blocking the N59 at Erriff.

* The N59 to Leenane is blocked by a tree.

* Road closed near Erriff Bridge.

* Tree down at Horkan's Hill, Westport.

* Debris on road between Westport and Louisburgh.

* Large fallen tree branches along the green area at Pound Road in Castlebar.

*Tree blocking Cullane to Bushfield road at Kilaturley (L1303) between Swinford and Kiltimagh.

* A fallen tree near the entrance to the halting site in Castlebar has been removed from the public roadway.

* Motorists are urged to drive with caution as many roads are covered heavily in fallen leaves.

Council crews will respond to incidents where and when it is safe to do so.