DUBLIN - A severe storm blowing onto Ireland's west and northwest coast from the Atlantic on Tuesday threatened to cause widespread flooding and structural damage. Gusts up to 93 miles per hour (150 kilometres per hour) were recorded at a meteorological station in Belmullet, in County Mayo in western Ireland. There are severe weather warnings that other gusts could reach up to 100 miles per hour.

A combination of heavy rain on already sodden land, high spring tides and the gale-force winds blowing into estuaries were expected to result in flooding and rivers bursting their banks. People are advised not to do any outdoor activity, while ferry services to islands and flights to nearby provincial airports were cancelled.

In Dublin, Irish Railways said a tree felled across tracks had blocked a suburban train service, while motorists were warned that several roads were also blocked by fallen trees.

Copyright 2005 AFP & WeatherOnline Ltd