Flash floods and severe winds forecast during Storm Francis

Met Éireann has issued three separate weather warnings for Storm Francis, due to bring intense rainfall and damaging winds.

An orange weather warning for rainfall affecting Connacht, and counties Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Wexford, Cork, Kerry and Waterford has been issued for overnight tonight into Tuesday.

Thundery downpours could lead to flash flooding and accumulations of 40- 60mm.

This rainfall is expected to further elevate river levels and may result in river flooding also.

The national forecaster also issued two more warnings, a status yellow wind warning for Munster, Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow, reaching mean speeds of 55 to 65km/h, and widespread severe gusts of 90 to 110km/h in exposed areas, as well as a second status yellow rainfall warning for counties Dublin, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Wicklow, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.

"It will become very windy on Tuesday as strong south-west winds veer westerly with widespread mean speeds between 50 and 65km/h and gusts between 90 and 110km/h, or higher in coastal areas and exposed areas," stated Met Éireann.

"Intense rainfall is expected at times Monday night and on Tuesday. Falls of 30 to 50 mm are expected with surface flooding."