Updated at 10.25pm

THOUSANDS OF HOMES in the West and Northwest are already without power this evening, as stormy weather sweeps in from the Atlantic.

ESB Networks said that at last count, around 2,400 homes were without power, and that some homes will remain without power overnight:

Met Éireann has issued a status red weather warning for Connacht, Donegal, Clare and Kerry, along with other warnings for several parts of the country. Authorities are advising the public to avoid nonessential travel in the affected areas.

The status red warning came into effect at 6pm and lasts until 3am on Sunday morning.

• More: The latest traffic and travel advice as Storm Desmond hits

The worst hit areas are Kinsale in Cork with almost 1,300 homes without electricity and Clonakilty with almost 550, according to Powercheck.ie.

Other area affected are Athenry in Galway with over 200 homes without electricity.

There were also outages in counties Mayo, Kerry and Limerick and Donegal, as well as Meath.

Crews are already out working to reconnect customers, and ESB Networks is reminding people not to go near damaged or fallen cables.

ESB Networks ESB Networks

Details on the latest service interruptions can be found here.

Read: Flights cancelled and forced to abort landings as Storm Desmond hits west coast >