VIDEO: Homes and businesses without power following Storm Frank

Sixteen thousand homes and businesses are without power following high winds this morning and last night.

ESB Networks has said Cork is the county with the highest number of line faults.

The south, south east and west of the country have experienced power outages as Storm Frank sweeps across the country today.

The majority of these are in Cork - 1,300 people are in the dark in Macroom and 600 in Cobh.

Over 1,200 people are without power in Athlone with 800 in Tramore in Waterford.

Further outages have also been reported in Wicklow and in Blessington.

Parts of the South, West and Midlands have been battered by gale force winds and heavy rain - leading to widespread flooding and travel disruption.

There is also a large fault on the system in Celbridge in Co. Kildare where more than 2,000 customers are without power.

ESB Networks is reminding people never to go near or touch fallen electricity lines, and to contact 1850 372 999 if they come across any fallen poles or lines.

ESB Networks has also issued an update to say that the rate of flow at the Inniscarra Dam on the River Lee will increase to 250 cubic metres per second at midday today.

The National Co-ordination Group is meeting to discuss the flood response.

Spokesperson for the ESB Paul Hand has said they hope to have power restored by this evening: “About 13,000 homes are at present without power, gale force winds with gusts of up to 120km/hr have caused considerable damage.

“Fallen trees and timber are responsible for the majority of the damage.”

To check road closures in your area, log onto the AA Roadwatch, traffic by county by clicking here.