Storm Desmond causes destruction around Co Kerry

Conditions in Kerry are worsening as Storm Desmond sweeps across the country.

The 64-bed Cuil Didin nursing home in Tralee, on the N70 Tralee to Castlemaine Road has been closed to the public .

However the council is liaising with the HSE and plans are in place should an ambulance or other emergency arise, Ger O’Brien, council spokesman said.

Caitriona O’Connor, the person in charge of Cuil Didin, said access had been arranged for GP visits and for services and there was no risk to residents.

The civil defence are out in force throughout the county and sandbags are being distributed.

Meanwhile the N86 Tralee to Dingle road is currently flooded at Blennerville; and there is flooding too on main roundabouts surrounding Tralee.

The N22 road to Cork is closed and motorists are to travel to and from Kerry via Millstreet rather than on the N22 Ballyvourney or Macroom Road.

Kenmare is inaccessible with all roads flooded, gardaí have confirmed.

Roads around Tralee, particularly Ballyseedy and Ballyard, are also flooded.

Glenflesk on the N22 is severely water logged. However St Agatha’s church in the village, is not affected, the parish priest there confirmed.

A wedding due to take place at 2pm in the church is going ahead. The bride, who is from Rathcormac in Co Cork is already in Killarney and is travelling to Glenflesk via a diversion.

Parish priest in Glenflesk Fr Bill Radley is to perform the ceremony as the priest in Ballyvourney over the Cork border is unable to travel due to the flooding.

Regional flights in and out of Kerry are operating, but passengers are asked to check with the airport at Farranfore.

There are delays and diversions in a number of bus routes in and out of Kerry.

Meanwhile, torrential rain has led to flooding in the centre of Kenmare - with the square and the town park under water. Sandbagging of houses is underway this morning .

TD Michael Healy-Rae, who is in Kenmare this morning sand bagging, said he is unable to travel to Killarney and it is the first time in the Healy-Rae political history that their clinic in Killarney is cancelled.

Rivers are rising rapidly in the Listowel area Kerry County Council are warning,

A major car rally which got underway this morning in Killarney has been abandoned for the day by order of Kerry County Council.

The organisers, on strong advice also from the county council, and gardaí have abandoned the rally altogether in the last hour.

The Killarney National Park is effectively closed, with management asking the public to steer clear.

Kerry County Council crews are clearing trees from a number of areas.