LATEST: This is the jaw-dropping scene which greeted motorists after a 40 ft steel container was blown across a Donegal road.
The container, which weighs at least a tonne, was blown across the main Doochary to Dungloe road earlier today.
Motorists watched in horror as the heavy container simply slid across the road before coming to a standstill.
One eyewitness told donegaldaily “It was likes something out of a Hollywood movie. As we came towards it, we could see somehting moving across the road.
“We thought it was a truck going sideways but then we noticed there was no truck – it was just a container.
“I’d hate to think what could have happened if we were up the road any further and had been hit by this thing.”
An operation to remove the huge container was underway this afternoon.
Meanwhile ESB engineers are now battling to restore power to more than 10,000 homes across the county as a massive storm wreaks havoc.
The storm, called UDO by meteorologists, has been whipping up winds of up to 127kph.
Dozens of powers lines are down and a spokesman for the ESB has warned people not to touch them.
“Our engineers are doing their best to restore power to homes affected by the storm as quickly as possible.
“There are a number of lines dopwn and we would ask poeple not to touch these wires but to conatct us immediately on 1850 372999,” he said.
Motorists and pedestrians have been warned to be extra vigilant after reports of falling trees and blowing debris across the county.
There have been major tree falls in Raphoe, Letterkenny, Malin, Ballybofey and Muff while electricity supplies have also been knocked out in parts of Letterkenny, Donegal Town and across Inishowen.
Meteorologists say we are currently in the eye of the storm.
The storm has already caused a number of serious incidents across the county.
A 40 ft container lorry was blown onto its side on the road between Doochary and Dungloe but there are no reports of injuries.
There are also reports of dozens of ESB and telegraph poles down in Killygordan, Ballybofey, Milford and Gaoth Dobhair.
Siobhan Ryan of Met Eireann have warned people that it is dangerous to go outside at the moment.
Schoolchildren in Tullygay on the outskirts of Letterkenny had a lucky escape when a tree came down across a busy by-road.
Our exclusive picture of the scene was taken just minutes after the tree came crashing down just seconds before local postman Ed Margey was making his deliveries.
Gardai have asked people only to make journeys if they are absolutely necessary.
The border crossing at Muff has been closed after a tree crashed across the road completely blocking traffic.
Weather website Irish Weather Online have issued a warning about gusts of up to 126kmh being recorded at Malin Head weather station.
Sustained gusts of wind are expected for the rest of the day and could reach Gale Force 10.
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