Hundreds of homes are without power across the country this evening.

The ESB says it's aware of a number of faults on the network due to storm Frank.

Premises are in the dark in Kerry, Limerick, Laois, Galway, Meath, Donegal and Dublin to name just some of the affected counties.

In Bandon, Cork residents are on high-alert as the River Lee expected to burst its banks before dawn. 

Local Cllr Alan Coleman says it's a difficult situation: 

In Galway City the council closed the roads adjacent to Salthill promenade after waves broke over the seafront wall and flooded car parks and roadways at high tide.

Four weather warnings are in place after Storm Frank made landfall this afternoon.

The ESB has warned that water levels in Lough Derg may reach 2009 levels in the coming days, and local authorities are advising people against all non-essential travel in areas likely to be worst hit.

The storm will reach hurricane force winds out at sea - while that level of wind will not reach the mainland, the wind and rain is still forecast to be extensive.

As a result, P&O and Irish Ferries have suspended sailings for the rest of the day and are expected to resume at 7am tomorrow.

Meanwhile Irish Rail say bus transfers are in operation between Limerick, Ennis and Galway due to flooding on the line.

For those traveling by coastal roads, the Road Safety Authority is advising motorists to exercise caution.

Sergeant Sean Mac Seoin from the Garda Press Office says drivers need to take extreme care on the roads tonight and tomorrow:

Almost 50 soldiers have been deployed by the Civil Defence around the country to help those already experiencing flooding.

Up to 70 millimetres of rain and winds of up to 120 kilometres an hour are expected in the South, West and North West.

Met Éireann has issued a status orange wind warning for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare and Kerry, while an orange rainfall warning is in place for Wicklow, Galway, Cork, Kerry and Waterford.

Status yellow warnings are in place for other parts of the country.

Meanwhile flood warnings are in place after the River Shannon reached its highest level this month.

Jim Casey from the Office of Public Works is warning that flood levels are likely to increase, and that sea walls will be tested.

Speaking after a meeting of the National Emergency Co-Ordination group earlier today, Mr Casey said the level of water in Athlone has risen 4cm in the last two days - exceeding its previous peak from from December 16th.

"There is an ongoing risk to Athlone - with increased rainfall, that may well go above what it's currently at. The message really is all ongoing efforts will have to continue for some time yet," he explained.

One of the worst hit areas is Longford, and local Councillor Gerard Farrell says people are already struggling to cope.

"It's getting worse and the level of the Shannon is just too high for this time of year," he said. "If the Shannon rises another foot or two, there'll be more families in dire straits". 

A number of local routes across the county are already closed, but it is feared that further flooding due to rising river levels could lead to the closure of major routes.

Council engineers have been working through Christmas, including Christmas Day and St Stephen's Day, to safeguard homes against flooding and to prevent road closures.

Speaking to Galway Bay FM, Loughrea councillor Michael Fahy says council staff are doing all they can, but there are fears that that major routes in parts of Co Galway, such as Craughwell, may have to be closed.

The ESB is advising that the flow of water through Parteen Weir will increase to 440 cubic metres per second today.

"This level of water flow will have increased associated flooding to land and property in the vicinity of the Shannon downstream of Parteen Weir including the areas of Springfield, Montpelier, Castleconnell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick," the organisation adds.

The flow of water through Inniscarra has also been increased.

Meanwhile, it is claimed the Government failed to pay over a third of compensation sought by local authorities for storm damage over the past two years.

Fianna Fáil's Environment Spokesperson Barry Cowen says the Coalition's track record proves it cannot be trusted to respond to flood damage.

He says Councils applied for €21 million to help with repairs two years ago, but only €13 million was paid out by the Department of Environment.