The Emergency Management Minister has declared a National State of Emergency.
Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty says it is an unprecedented event.
"Since Sunday, NEMA have been in close contact with local civil defence emergency management (CDEM) teams of affected areas to assess the need of a declaration of a state of National Emergency.
"NEMA has been giving advice to myself and the Prime Minister on the need of a national State of Emergency based on the assessments of the local teams, and until now the advice has been that it was not necessary.
"NEMA met with the affected CDEM groups. Based on feedback from the groups and NEMA I consider that the criteria have now been met and a National State of Emergency would be beneficial."
