A Status Orange wind warning has come into effect, with strong winds from Storm Callum coinciding with high spring tides tonight and tomorrow morning.

The warnings cover Cork, Kerry, Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Dublin, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath, and Waterford.

Strong winds associated with the storm could reach speeds of between 100km/h and 130km/h.

It is expected to cause flooding along south and west coasts later tonight and tomorrow.

The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government said the severe weather team has also met to co-ordinate its response to the storm.

In a statement following the meeting, the National Emergency Co-ordination Group said necessary arrangements are being put in place to ensure the safety of people who are sleeping rough.

According to Met Éireann it is likely that Kerry and Cork will be among the worst affected areas, along with western counties.

Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Sean O'Rourke, Met Éireann's Head of Forecasting Evelyn Cusack said that while localised flooding may happen on the east coast, widespread flooding was not expected in the region.

Ms Cusack said high tides and strong gales and winds are forecast with south-easterly winds up to gale force 8 or 9 gusting to storm force 9 overnight.

The Commission for Aviation Regulation has advised that some passengers scheduled to fly into or out of Irish airports tomorrow may experience some disruption as a result of Storm Callum.

Aer Lingus has announced that a number of flights on the airline's European network have been cancelled tomorrow due to the storm.

A number of flights on our European network have been cancelled on Friday 12 October due to #StormCallum. Please check flight status before travelling to the airport. — Aer Lingus (@AerLingus) October 11, 2018

The Department of Education has advised schools and other education centres in areas affected by a Status Orange alert to remain vigilant.

Schools are advised to keep themselves appraised of any hourly and other updates from Met Éireann, and from their local authorities, local radio, and An Garda Síochána.

The department says that if in any doubt, schools should err on the side of caution.

It also says schools are empowered to make closure decisions if, in their judgment, and in the interests of child safety, it is prudent to do so.

It says decisions about school closures should be informed by, as well as prevailing and predicted conditions, any damage that might have been caused to school buildings overnight or at any time during the storm, and whether such damage, - where it exists, - might present a risk to child safety.

The Department says it will continue to monitor the situation and will follow any advice from the National Emergency Coordination Group.

Portable dam being installed at Spanish Arch

Galway City Council is installing a 80m portable dam at Spanish Arch and flood gates at various points in Salthill, ahead of the arrival of the storm.

More than 5,000 sandbags are being made available for people to collect at a number of locations around the city.

The sandbags are available at a council depot in Clarinbridge, with others being distributed to properties in Kinvara.

We'll keep dropping sandbags off at Spanish Arch, the Fire station, Fr. Griffin Rd and the Aquarium, Salthill until 9.00pm. Up to 5,000 will have been distributed by the time #StormCallum arrives. pic.twitter.com/FY4SdrM924 — Galway City Council (@GalwayCityCo) October 11, 2018

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, the council's Acting Director of Services Gary McMahon said that a weather assessment team has been tracking the storm this week.

The most crucial time, he said, would be tomorrow morning when high tides combine with a predicted storm surge.

The @CliffsofMoher1 Centre will be closed to visitors for the duration of the Orange Weather Alert (valid up to midday Friday). A further update re: the reopening time will be issued in due course



Please DO NOT visit the site tomorrow morning as conditions will be unsafe. pic.twitter.com/iF8FjnkmK0 — Clare County Council (@ClareCoCo) October 11, 2018

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Orange warning issued ahead of strong winds and high tides

Waterways Ireland has issued a warning to boat owners and members of the public as the storm approaches.

It urged people to be aware of the dangers associated with harbours, jetties and moorings during stormy weather.

The Road Safety Authority issued a similar warning, advising road users to expect the unexpected and watch out for debris.

Storm force winds on the Irish Sea from the southeast could expose coastal areas like Bray and Howth with a chance of coastal flooding.

In Waterford, Tramore Prominade has been closed and the car park on Davitts Quay in the city will be closed from 6pm.

Waterford Council say sandbags have been distributed to businesses in Tramore, with remaining sandbags to be distributed by district crews as required.

Donegal County Council has said that based on current information the areas most susceptible to flooding are the coastal areas of Donegal town and Killybegs and has urged property owners and occupiers in those areas to take the necessary precautions.

The Pier car park in Donegal Town will be closed from 4pm and the Office of Public Works has also advised that Donegal Castle is one of a number of OPW heritage sites, which will be closed tomorrow until site checks are carried out.

Sligo County Council said it is monitoring weather conditions and roads and Fire Service personnel will be deployed to respond to any emergency situations around the county.

With high tide due at 8.36am tomorrow, the usual roads that are liable to flooding may be closed to traffic at short notice.

These include the Mardyke, Scotsman's Walk, Gibraltar, Back Avenue in Sligo and Coast Road Easkey.

Avoid unnecessary travel during Storm Callum. Exercise extreme caution - expect the unexpected - especially localised flooding, falling/fallen debris. Stay away from the coast and from piers, harbours and cliffs during storm @GardaTraffic @damienrte https://t.co/leBVbeeWf3 pic.twitter.com/Ki9vDthxJb — Wexford County Co. (@wexfordcoco) October 11, 2018

Wexford County Council said it is erecting flood defence barriers in Wexford, New Ross, Argturstown and Ballyhack. It is stockpiling 5,000 sandbags for use, if required, in Enniscorthy and Wexford. Additional call centre staff are on standby to deal with emergency calls, said the council.

Additional beds will also be provided at Ozanam House, Wexford, to accommodate those sleeping rough.

Reports of people sleeping rough in Dublin this evening should be posted at this link, according to Dublin councils.

Cork County Council has warned of a risk of flooding in places due to expected heavy rain and high tides, while road users are being told to exercise caution and to expect the unexpected during the weather event.

Fingal County Council said it is continuing its preparations for the storm, expected to hit the Dublin region at midnight and last until 9am tomorrow morning.

Fingal council crews spent the morning filling sandbags and deploying them to areas along the coastline which are vulnerable to flooding, it said. Sandbags are also being distributed from the council's depots at Watery Lane in Swords, Coolmine in Dublin 15, and Fancourt in Balbriggan. The council also said that crews and volunteers are on stand-by.

Kerry County Council has reiterated a public advisory, saying the benign weather this afternoon should not mislead people into believing that a significant weather event is due to impact the county tonight.

It says all coastal areas and cliffs should be completely avoided while the Status Orange warning is in place, while motorists should take care for fallen trees and other obstacles on the roads.

The council is asking all homeowners, property owners and businesses to secure any loose items of furniture, hoardings, scaffolding, signage and items such as trampolines and bins, which would be vulnerable to strong winds.

Kilkenny County Council also said that staff and services are on standby, and will be deployed as necessary tomorrow morning.

Tipperary County Council also said that its Severe Weather Assessment Team is on standby, and the situation would be reviewed as the storm approaches.

Louth County Council has urged the public to take heed of the warnings about the storm and said it has distributed hundreds of sandbags to coastal areas and more are available.

It has recommended that people 'avoid unnecessary journeys, are extremely cautious on or around coastal areas, and do not approach fallen trees or power lines'.

Temporary flood barriers are also in place in high risk areas.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has advised members of the public not to visit any national parks, monuments or nature reserves while the Status Orange warning is in place.

ESB Networks have said crews will be dispatched in the event of power outages as a result of the storm.

Members of the public are warned not to approach fallen wires or damaged infrastructure. If people come across damage they are asked to report it to 1850 372 9999.