In Northern Ireland, NIE Networks said that at 5.30pm approximately 4,000 customers were without power in outages that hit as Storm Ashley batters the region.

Power had been restored to around 2,000 customers who had lost supply, NIE Networks said.

In the Republic of Ireland, ESB Networks said 53,000 customers were without power shortly after 5pm on Sunday. Mayo, Galway, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Dublin were the worst affected counties.

The RNLI has warned people to “stay safe and stay away” from Blackpool Promenade.

A statement on the lifeboat charity’s Facebook read: “The Met Office currently have the North West under a weather warning, and this especially includes the Blackpool and Fylde Coast with winds in excess of 60 miles per hour later in the day.

“The specific concern for the Blackpool coast is the high spring tides at 1.28pm today and 1.50am Monday morning, and potential flood risk to the Promenade area.

“The marine forecast for the Irish Sea for this time is for a mainly southwest wind, force 7 to severe gale 9, increasing storm 10 for a time, decreasing 5 to 7 later.

“Blackpool RNLI is making preparations at the Lifeboat Station to secure equipment and the boat house, and the volunteer crews urge everyone tostay off the Promenade around these tide times, especially the sea wall areas for your own safety.”

The Met Office has published a list of the highest wind speeds recorded so far today, including gusts of 81mph in Killowen, Northern Ireland, and 75mph at the Welsh village of Capel Cruig.

Dozens of flights have been cancelled at Belfast City Airport and Dublin Airport due to Storm Ashley.

In a stamtent on X, Dublin Airport said: “Weather conditions have led to some airlines cancelling a small number of flights this morning. As always, passengers seeking updates regarding a specific flight should contact their airline directly.”

Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure said temporary tidal flood defences were being deployed along the River Lagan at high-risk areas such as Lockview Road and Cutters Warf in south Belfast.

Catherine Evans, SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, said: “Scotland will experience the impacts from Storm Ashley this evening and into tomorrow morning. Coastal flooding will impact communities along the west coast and the islands, due to already high water levels combined with strong winds and large waves.

“While the risk is most significant around high tide times, our message continues to be: take extra care if you are near the coast at any point and stay clear of waves and water.  Be careful when travelling around exposed coastal areas. Don’t walk or drive through flood water as there may be hidden hazards.

“Flood Alerts and Warnings are in place.  We will continue to work with the Met Office to monitor the situation 24/7 and review regional Flood Alerts and local Flood Warnings as required, so please do stay up to date through our website at beta.sepa.scot/flooding.

“We advise people to sign up to Floodline to receive free updates for where they live, or travel through, directly to their phone. People can also check our flood updates for all the latest information and view the three-day Scottish Flood Forecast to see what conditions are expected further ahead.”