Ireland’s towns and villages brace for Storm Frank

A number of towns and villages are on high alert for flooding as Storm Frank makes landfall.

Gale force winds and heavy rain are forecast for many parts - with the south, west and north west set to be the worst affected.

Local authorities are advising people against all non-essential travel in areas likely to be worst hit.

Storm Frank is making landfall this afternoon with gusts of up to 120kms per hour forecast.

49 soldiers have been deployed by the Civil Defence around the country to help those already experiencing flooding.

31 soldiers have been deployed in Athlone to fill sandbags in order to reinforce embankments along the River Shannon.

10 soldiers have headed to Gort in assistance of Galway County Council. They are filling and distributing sandbags, as well as helping people stranded to get in and out of their homes using military spec Mercedes Trucks.

Eight Civil Defence engineers are in Clonlara, Co Clare where they are using flat bottomed boats and mechanised pumps to channel water away from vulnerable areas.

Further units remain on standby to respond to requests at military installations around the country.

The prom at Salthill in Galway is being closed to all traffic this afternoon as Gardai and the City Council prepare for the arrival of Storm Frank.

The Council has confirmed that the ESB is increasing the spill rate at Parteen Weir from 405 cubic metres per second (cumecs) to 440 cumecs during today.

Gardaí across Galway are advising against all non-essential travel this afternoon as Storm Frank hits.