VIDEO: Storm Frank wreaks havoc as Gertrude approaches

Storm Frank arrived with a vengeance off the west coast yesterday, causing disruption from counties Cork to Donegal as gale-force winds, heavy rain, and high tides, battered many parts of the country.

Thousands of homes were left without power last night while flights and ferry crossings were cancelled, flooded roads were deemed impassable, and even a parked car was blown into the River Shannon.

The car, which was unoccupied, was apparently swept into the water where it was visible for less than 30 minutes before it became fully submerged.

Gardaí and the emergency services responded to the incident, which occurred at Ballyleague, Co Roscommon, last night.

In Co Kerry, the mountain rescue team was called out to Carrauntoohil, to retrieve a climber with a suspected broken leg.

The man, in his 30s, was among a number of climbers who set out despite the storm forecast and sustained the injury when he fell near the Hag’s Tooth.

He was taken, by stretcher, down from the mountain and transferred by ambulance to Kerry General Hospital in Tralee.

Kerry Mountain Rescue appealed for people to stay away from mountains while weather alerts are in place.

In Cork, parts of the Lee Road, the Fermoy/Watergrasshill Road, and the Ballea Road, were flooded, as was the Kinsale roundabout, while Crookstown village was deemed impassable.

Road closure details in #Cork, via @EoinBearla & @corkcitycouncil pic.twitter.com/1GQDM8x3Cw

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) December 30, 2015

Cork City Fire Brigade said they were “stretched to the limit” last night dealing with callouts due to floods in areas such as Wilton and Glanmire. They said several people, including a woman and two children, were rescued from their cars.

Storm Frank has arrived on Tory. #Donegal #Ireland @DiscoverDonegal @visit_donegal @PictureIreland @wildatlanticway pic.twitter.com/oNvSjUV6UJ

— Owen Clarke Photos (@oclarkephotos) December 29, 2015

In Galway, the city council closed roads at Salthill promenade and diverted traffic away from the area. Car parks and roadways nearby were flooded when waves broke over the seafront wall.

Didn't think much of #StormFrank until I saw what it was doing to the Glencar Waterfall. #defyinggravity pic.twitter.com/V5GULYtTpB

— Tracy (@tracyotoole1) December 29, 2015

Nationwide, some 5,000 homes were without power. The ESB said it was working to restore power to homes but that 1,500 homes could still be without power today. A number of flights at Kerry Airport were cancelled while P&O Ferries suspended all sailings until today.

Counties Kerry, Cork, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Mayo and Donegal, were among the areas most affected by Storm Frank which is the sixth to batter the country in recent weeks.

Met Éireann issued four weather warnings; a Status Orange wind warning for counties Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare and Kerry; a Status Orange rainfall warning for counties Wicklow, Galway, Cork, Kerry and Waterford; and Status Yellow wind and rain warnings for all four provinces. All remain in effect until 12pm today though further stormy conditions are expected as Storm Gertrude approaches.

Storm Frank to hit Ireland by lunchtime https://t.co/Gpxp40Lh9c pic.twitter.com/PybPccyR9b

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) December 29, 2015