Across the North West the respective Local Authorities are gearing up for what could potentially be a busy weekend.
Donegal County Council workers have pre-deployed sandbags in a number of high risk areas and further sandbags are ready to be deployed if required.
However the Council say that services will only be deployed during the period of the red warning where there immediate threat to life.
The council is urging people to take precautions and stay safe.
Roads Service, Fire Service and Civil Defence crews are at a heightened state of readiness in the event of their services being required.
In Sligo the Local Authority Severe Weather Co-ordination’ Committee met earlier today, where they attempted to coordinate their response to the multiple weather alerts issued by Met Éireann.
The County Council is urging people to exercise extreme caution.
Storm Darragh will bring extremely strong and gusty winds with wind speeds in excess of 130km per hour predicted. This has the potential for fallen trees, damage to power lines, damage to temporary structures, very difficult travelling conditions in addition to localised flooding and poor visibility.
Council staff will not be attending to any incidents during the Status Red weather warning and until it is safe to do so afterwards.
People are advised not to travel during the period of the Status Red weather warning and to only travel during the Status Orange weather warning where it is essential.
Those attending Christmas parties or socialising tonight , are being reminded that public transport operators may curtail services during the period of the Status Red warning.
•With high tides expected, the public are advised to stay away from coastal areas during this period. The Irish Coast Guard are appealing to people to “Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry”.
The public are being advised to prepare for the arrival of the storm including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.
• Farmers are advised to Move all animals and livestock to a safe and suitable building to protect them from the severe weather conditions associated with Storm Darragh.
Similar warning are being issued in Leitirm where the public where the he public are advised to not travel in areas where a red level warning is in place Essential services operators will continue to operate services where it is safe to do so subject to advice from Met Éireann on prevailing local conditions.
Kieran Brett from Leitrim County council says they are continuously monitoring the situation.
