Status orange wind warnings will be in effect for six counties in the west from 2 o'clock this afternoon as Storm Amy arrives.

The alert for near gale force to gale force winds in counties Clare, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo is in place until 10pm on Friday.

Met Éireann is warning of fallen trees, damage to power lines and possible power outages, very difficult travelling conditions, and the possibility of wave overtopping.

A status yellow wind alert is in place for the rest of the country from midday until midnight on Friday, with drivers being warned there may be debris and loose objects on roads.

Counties Galway and Kerry are subject to a status yellow rain warning until 3pm on Friday.

National Director for Fire and Emergency Management, Keith Leonard, local councils have been preparing for the storm's arrival:

"Local authorities have been out clearing gullies to minimize the risk of surface flooding, but there is a potential for that.

"On Thursday, we met with all the local authorities, principal response agencies, and the key utilities, and we heard the arrangements to have in place to respond as quickly as possible once this storm blows through".