‘Severe’ weather this evening may cause floods and power cuts

Met Éireann has upgraded its thunderstorm warning for Donegal to ‘severe’ with risk of flooding and power outages.

The status ‘orange’ alert warns of a risk of thunderstorms and very heavy showers producing significant rainfall accumulations over short time periods.

Possible impacts include flash flooding, very difficult travelling conditions with reduced visibility and power outages.

The warning came into effect at 4pm and is valid until 10pm tonight. 

Other affected counties include Cavan, Donegal, Clare, Connacht, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath.

The UK Met Office has issued a similar Status Yellow thunderstorm warning for Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry. This warning will run from 2pm to 9pm.

The UK office says that scattered thunderstorms may cause flooding and disruption.