Mayo expected to escape worst of Storm Debi's power

A Status Yellow weather warning is in place for Mayo ahead of the approach of unsettled weather conditions overnight and early tomorrow.

It will be very windy and stormy tonight and tomorrow due to Storm Debi, accompanied by heavy rain with a chance of embedded thunder storms and hail.

Possible impacts include fallen trees and branches, localised flooding including wave overtopping and hazardous travelling conditions.

The warning is in place from midnight until 3 p.m. tomorrow.

Elsewhere, all schools and pre-schools in 19 counties affected by the Status Red and Orange warnings will be asked to remain closed until 10 a.m. tomorrow morning, according to Keith Leonard, National Director of Fire and Emergency Management.

Mr. Leonard briefed the media this evening at a last-minute meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group as Storm Debi approaches the country.

Met Éireann has issued two Status Red wind warnings for five counties for a period of time overnight.

A red wind warning for Clare, East Galway and South Roscommon will be in place from 3 until 5 a.m. while a separate red wind warning for Offaly and Westmeath will be in place from 5 to 7 a.m.

Met Éireann said that there will be extreme winds during this period "with potential danger to life."

Structural damage is expected, along with falling trees and significant power outages.