RED ALERT: Met Éireann warns of 'danger to life' as severe wind warning is issued

Met Eireann has issued its highest-level weather warning for four counties as Storm Éowyn is set represent a 'danger to life' as it tracks across Ireland.

A status orange wind warning, which was issued this Wednesday morning, has now been upgraded to status red for counties Limerick, Cork, Clare and Kerry.

"Gale force southerly winds becoming westerly will bring severe, damaging and destructive gusts in excess of 130km/h," states the warning which will be valid between 3am and 10am on Friday.

Schools and public services in all four counties are set to be impacted with further details to be confirmed later today and on Thursday.

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According to Met Éireann, potential impacts of Storm Éowyn in the worst-affected counties include:

* Danger to life
* Extremely dangerous travelling conditions
* Cancellation of events
* Wave overtopping
* Coastal flooding in low lying and exposed areas
* Unsafe working conditions
* Fallen trees
* Significant and widespread power outages
* Structural damage
* Disruption and cancellations to transport

Emergency services and local authority crews have been placed on standby and the National Emergency Coordination Centre is likely to meet later this Wednesday.

Those in counties under a red warning are being urged to remain at home and not travel until the worst of the storm has passed.