Storm Ashley: 53,000 still without power as west battered by 130km/h gusts

James Cox

Fifty-three thousand homes, farms and businesses are without power across the country due to Storm Ashley.

The west coast has taken a battering as Storm Ashley hit during high tide with gusts of up to 120km/h per hour.

However, the extent of any damage is unlikely to be known until the morning.

An orange wind warning for seven counties has just been lifted tonight, but a yellow wind warning for the country will stay in place until midnight.

A yellow rain warning for seven counties – Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry and Waterford – expired at 9pm on Sunday.

The ESB said it is working to restore supply, with Mayo, Galway, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Dublin the worst impacted counties.

A significant number of customers will also be without power overnight.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has advised people to drive with extreme care, with the risk of localised flooding, fallen trees and debris.