Earlier, the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) and its related subgroups met again to continue to assess the flooding situation and prepare for the risk of further flooding this week.

It comes as those worst hit by floodwaters during Storm Chandra on Tuesday have been told to apply for emergency payments.

James Browne TD convened a meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) on Thursday

Power has so far been restored to 766,500 homes, farms, schools and businesses.

Power has been restored to 540,000 customers; however some 228,000 homes, farms and businesses remain without supply.

The worst of the storm is expected to hit on Friday morning with winds predicted to reach up to 130kph.

The National Cyber Security Centre has set out the process by which an emergency could be declared, managed and co-ordinated.