Storm Agnes: Woman rescued from car during floods

More than 30 firefighters helped rescue a woman from a flooded river in County Londonderry after Storm Agnes brought heavy rain and strong winds to the island of Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) found a car in the River Moyola in Draperstown with the driver trapped inside.

She was taken to Antrim Area Hospital and treated for hypothermia and shock.

Storm Agnes is the first named storm of the season.

It arrived in Northern Ireland around lunchtime and has caused disruption to some flights, some ferries and to power lines.

More than 300 customers across Northern Ireland, including Poyntzpass in County Armagh, are still 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.

The NIFRS attended the scene of the trapped vehicle at about 14:30 BST on Wednesday.

"The first arriving crew used a ladder to reach the car from a bridge," said a statement.

"The conditions changed very quickly and the firefighter on the roof of the car had to take decisive action to save the occupant. The firefighter broke the rear window and brought the driver out of the car and on to the roof.

"From there a line was secured to the occupant of the car and she was walked up the ladder followed by the firefighter to safety.

"Soon after this the car was fully submerged."

'Swept away'

It urged motorists should not attempt to drive through flooded roads or fords.

"Water is often deeper than it looks and your vehicle may be swept away or become stranded," said the statement.

A roof blown from a building in Youghal, County Cork

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.

Storm Agnes caused high waves in Tramore, County Waterford

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

• Storm Agnes: What do you need to know?

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.

High winds caused waves to crash onto the promenade in Whitehead, County Antrim

In Northern Ireland, a yellow warning for rain was 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.

Analysis

By Cecilia Daly, BBC News NI weather presenter

Emergency services attended the scene of a fallen tree near Blackrock in Cork earlier on Wednesday

With the rain warning ending in Northern Ireland at 20:00, heavy showers with possible thunder will continue into the evening before easing away before midnight.

The rest of the night will be mostly dry.

The strong winds will ease for a time this evening, with the wind direction moving into the south west.

Expect the winds to freshen again and remain strong through the night.

However, with the higher wind gusts shifting into western counties and exposed coastal and hilly areas, they won't be as strong as earlier on Wednesday - nearer to 40 to 45mph.