The midlands have escaped the ferocity of the storms of the last 36 hours, although there has been localised flooding. Transport links between the midlands and the east coast were affected, however. There were no trains to the west yesterday because of the flooding at Hazelhatch.
There were delays on roads east of Kinnegad, especially on the N4. By late evening, there were four-hour delays getting through Maynooth where the Army was standing by.
Early yesterday, gardai in Offaly, Laois, Westmeath and Longford reported that all major roads were clear but they warned travellers to drive carefully because of high winds. The Shannon, which has had normal winter levels for the last fortnight, has not yet caused any difficulty.