Update: All Bus Eireann services are now running again in Cork.
Due to Storm Eunice the bus company had announced that all City, Stage-Carriage & Expressway services operating in Cork would be suspended until 10:00am today.
Limited further cancellations are in place throughout the day, more information can be found at www.buseireann.ie
Cork is under three weather alerts after Storm Eunice made landlfall in the early hours of this morning briniging high winds and rain with her
An Orange Wind Alert is in place until 11am with a Status Yellow Wind and Rain warning in effect until 6pm this evening, and also a snow and ice yellow warning is in place until 10 tomorrow morning
Council Crews have been on standby throughout the night with sandbags deployed and pumps in operation across known flood risk areas.
High tide passed in Bantry without flooding. though pumps were activated for approximately 15 minutes and this was sufficient to lower the level until water levels peaked before 6.00am.
Flood Barriers were erected in Fermoy as a precaution with demountable barriers erected at Brian Boru Square Slipway, Thomas Street and at the Sub Aqua Club on the Rathealy Road.
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Tens of thousands of homes and businesses in Cork city and county are without power as a result of Storm Eunice.
Over 32,000 customers across Cork are affected, with Douglas in the city one of the worst affected areas with over 2700 without power.
There are large outages in Skibbereen, Ballydehob, Bantry, Ballylickey, Glengarriff, Macroom, Donoughore and Glenville.
The ESB say crews are working hard to restore power to affected areas, and are urging people to report faults using the PowerCheck app or on PowerCheck.ie
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A number of trees are down across the city and county and Council crews are responding to them across the morning
Earlier, two trees were down on the road from Belgooly to Riverstick, trees are also down at the waterworks at Carrigaline, on the Grange road and on the Frrankfield road
A tree is down and gardai are at the scene by the Maxol garage in Blarney and by the Stag on the main Mallow road the N20
City Council crews will be on the ground this morning to deal with any fallout from Storm Eunice.
The city is not predicted to flood, however people are being advised to stay away from all quays.
Speaking to RedFM News, Director of Services at the City Council David Joyce outlines the risk to buildings.
"They don't give out red warnings for winds lightly, so this is a significant event.
"It is impossible to predict its impact on buildings and other infrastructure.
"One of the big issues with this particular event as well is that as the storm approaches the city the winds will be from a south westerly direction, but once the storm passes the city the winds will be from a north westerly direction.
"There will be a change in direction of the wind, that is quite significant, that can do more damage to buildings and trees."
Traffic is being diverted off the M8 motorway through Fermoy town until 9am.
The diversion is in place to avoid the motorway bridge.
A truck overturned on the bridge in high winds during Storm Barra in December.
Cork Airport has advised passengers to check with their airline before travelling for flight information - flights to London and Amsterdam were cancelled this morning.
UCC and MTU campuses meanwhile will open at 10am.
Meanwhile schools in Cork, along with Kerry, Clare, Waterford, Donegal, Mayo, Leitrim, Sligo and Roscommon are closed today.
Labour Education Spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin says opening schools in these areas is not worth the risk.
"None of us want to be hearing horrendous stories about something that happened on a road or something that happened in a school building as a result of this storm.
"A number of months ago there were question marks as to whether it was appropriate for schools to close, but I always felt it's better to be over cautious than dealing with a tragedy."
Bus Eireann services in Cork won’t begin until 10am this morning as a result of Storm Eunice.
Bus Eireann spokesperson Eleanor Farrell says safety is paramount:
"Our policy is not to operate services in any county that is impacted by a red warning, that's counties Cork, Clare, Kerry and Waterford.
"Services are cancelled from 1am to 10am in Cork, Clare and Kerry and from 2am to 12 noon in Waterford."
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The Road Safety Authority has assured learner drivers they won't be charged if their tests are cancelled as a result of the storm.
Driving tests that were due to take place in Cork, Clare, Kerry and Waterford have been cancelled due to red wind warnings in these areas.
The RSA says anyone in counties under a status orange alert can cancel their test today without charge, if they don't feel safe to travel.
They won't lose their fee and will be issued with another invite to book a test in the coming days.
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Cork Airport say their schedule has been impacted by Storm Eunice
Flights to Amsterdam and London Heathrow were cancelled earlier while the flight from Paris which was due to get in this morning after 7am remains delayed
Management at the airport are advising all intending passengers to check the status of their flights with their airline
Meanwhile City Council services such as offices, parks, multi-storey car parks at Paul Street and North Main Street, civic amenity sites and libraries will stay closed until 10am.
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Due to Storm Eunice and the red weather warning issued for Clare, Cork, Kerry and Waterford, Bank of Ireland branches in those counties will open at the following times on Friday, 18th February.
" Clare - all branches to open at 11am
" Cork - all branches to open at 11am
" Kerry - all branches to open at 11am
" Waterford - all branches to open at 1pm
Customers can continue to use our digital banking channels or contact at www.bankofireland.com/help-centre/contact-us/
