Storm Frank is battering Ireland tonight - with up to 70 millimetres of rain expected between now and lunchtime tomorrow.

Four weather warnings are in place across the country.

Drivers are being urged not to take the roads unless absolutely necessary.

Water levels on Lough Derg are now almost at 2009 levels - and fears are high that the River Shannon will breach its banks in Limerick and Athlone.

However Met Éireann forecaster Evelyn Cusack - says we're avoiding the worst of the weather:

Flood waters are encroaching on Bandon in County Cork tonight.

Residents in the area are said to be on hightened alert - with the River Lee expected to burst its banks before dawn.

Local Cllr Alan Coleman says it's a difficult situation:

In Galway City the Council closed the roads adjacent to Salthill promenade after waves broke over the seafront wall and flooded car parks and roadways at high tide.

It comes as the Road Safety Authority make an appeal to drivers to take extreme care if going out on the roads due to flooding.

Meanwhile, P&O Ferry sailings have been suspended until tomorrow morning and Kerry Airport cancelled a number of flights this afternoon due to the latest storm

And thousands of people are without power across the country tonight.

The ESB says it's aware of a number of faults on the network due to storm Frank.

Premises are in the dark in Kerry, Limerick, Laois, Galway, Meath, Donegal and Dublin to name just some of the affected counties.