Storm Eleanor battering Kildare all night - spot flooding and debris on roads

The first storm of 2018 caused flash floods and relentless gusts threw debris onto roads across Kildare overnight.

A Status Yellow wind warning remains valid for Kildare and the rest of Leinster with gusty westerly winds expected to continue into the early afternoon today.

Gardaí are advising motorists to drive with extreme caution with reports of debris and fallen trees on many roads.

The National Emergency Coordination Group will meet this morning to discuss the impact of the storm.

A number of fallen trees blocked roads across Co Kildare:

Clonbullogue to Edenderry

Last night a tree fell on the down on the Clonbullogue to Edenderry road near the power station.

Maynooth - Kilcock

Last night there was a tree down on the Maynooth to Kilcock old road , heading towards Kilcock before north Kildare rugby club.

Mondello 

Last night part of a tree fell on the road between Cock Bridge and Mondello.

In the same area, a power line was seen hanging down over the road just past Gate 4 Mondello on left hand side towards Prosperous from Naas. The ESB Networks were notified.

Today 

Storm Eleanor has now cleared the country but Met Éireann said damaging inland gusts were still likely.

An estimated 55,000 homes and businesses are without power this morning following damage caused by Storm Eleanor, which brought winds of up to 155km/h.

The worst affected areas include parts of counties Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan.

ESB Networks said it expects further damage to the electricity network in north Leinster after the storm tracked eastwards overnight.