Warnings in force as Storm Agnes makes landfall

Firefighters have rescued a woman from a flooded river in County Londonderry after Storm Agnes brought heavy rain and strong winds to the island of Ireland.

Photos of the rescue show a vehicle submerged in water at Mulnavoo Road in Draperstown.

Firefighters used a long ladder to reach the vehicle during the operation.

The woman was taken to Antrim Area Hospital where she has been treated for hypothermia and shock.

Storm Agnes which is the first named storm of the season, arrived in Northern Ireland around lunchtime and caused disruption to some flights, some ferries and to power lines.

Almost 1,000 customers in Poyntzpass, County Armagh, are without power due to the severe weather.

The Met Office and Met Éireann had both issued weather warnings and had advised of the possibility of disruption to travel.

In the Republic of Ireland, strong winds toppled several trees in Cork and Dublin.

In the coastal town of Youghal, County Cork, part of a roof was blown off a building on Front Strand.

Cork Council confirmed the road was closed and the situation was being monitored by the gardai (Irish police) and the fire service.

Met Éireann has extended it status orange wind warning for counties Cork, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford until 19:00 local time on Wednesday.

A status yellow warning for rain is in place for Cork, Carlow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow Kerry and Waterford until midnight with a yellow warning for wind covering Leinster, Munster and Galway during the same period.

There has been some localised flooding in Cork and Cork County Council has warned motorists to avoid driving through flood water.

A number flights at Belfast City Airport were cancelled on Wednesday afternoon and there has been disruption to P&O Ferries services on its route between Larne and Cairnryan in Scotland. The 16:00 departures were cancelled and the next sailing at 20:00 may be delayed.

In Northern Ireland, a yellow warning for rain is in place until 20:00, with a yellow warning for wind active until Thursday at 07:00.

The Met Office warned earlier that up to 30mm (1.2in) of rain could fall in a few hours in some places, while parts of the Mournes and Sperrins could see up to 50mm.

This could lead to an increase risk of flooding as the storm continues to push north and east.

So far, the highest wind gust in Northern Ireland was 57mph, recorded at Glenanne in County Armagh.

In the Republic of Ireland, winds of 72mph (116kmph) were recorded on Sherkin Island in west Cork.

There have been high rainfall totals too, which 20-25mm in places this afternoon.