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Hurricane Ophelia: Three people die as storm hits Ireland Hurricane Ophelia: Three people die as storm hits Ireland
(about 1 hour later)
Two men and a woman have been killed as the remnants of Hurricane Ophelia hit the British Isles.Two men and a woman have been killed as the remnants of Hurricane Ophelia hit the British Isles.
As hurricane-force gusts battered the Republic of Ireland, one woman and a man died in separate incidents when trees fell on their cars.As hurricane-force gusts battered the Republic of Ireland, one woman and a man died in separate incidents when trees fell on their cars.
A second man died in a chainsaw accident while attempting to remove a tree felled by the storm.A second man died in a chainsaw accident while attempting to remove a tree felled by the storm.
Thousands of homes and businesses are without power in the Irish Republic, Northern Ireland and Wales. Thousands of homes and businesses lost power in Northern Ireland and Wales, along with 360,000 in the Republic.
Police in Scotland say the storm has hit Dumfries and Galloway and it is forecast to continue over the region into the evening.Police in Scotland say the storm has hit Dumfries and Galloway and it is forecast to continue over the region into the evening.
In Wales, roads and railway lines have been closed and a gust of 90mph was recorded in Aberdaron, Gwynedd.
The Welsh Ambulance service said a woman has been injured after being hit by a falling branch in Wrexham.
'Stay indoors''Stay indoors'
The woman, in her 50s, died near Aglish, County Waterford, and a female passenger, in her 70s, was injured. In Ireland, the woman, in her 50s, died near Aglish, County Waterford, and a female passenger, in her 70s, was injured.
Her injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, the Gardai, Ireland's police force, said.Her injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, the Gardai, Ireland's police force, said.
One of the men died near Dundalk, Co Louth, after his car was struck by a tree at about 14.45 BST, the Gardai said.One of the men died near Dundalk, Co Louth, after his car was struck by a tree at about 14.45 BST, the Gardai said.
The other man, in his 30s, was killed in Cahir, Co Tipperary.The other man, in his 30s, was killed in Cahir, Co Tipperary.
All road users were urged to stay indoors and not travel unless their journey was absolutely necessary.All road users were urged to stay indoors and not travel unless their journey was absolutely necessary.
Flights were also disrupted as several UK planes were forced to land or divert after reports of a "smoke smell" linked to weather conditions.Flights were also disrupted as several UK planes were forced to land or divert after reports of a "smoke smell" linked to weather conditions.
BBC Weather said the strongest winds recorded so far were at Roches Point, near Cork in the Republic of Ireland, where they reached 97mph.BBC Weather said the strongest winds recorded so far were at Roches Point, near Cork in the Republic of Ireland, where they reached 97mph.
Ireland's meteorological service said its highest gust was 109mph at Fastnet Rock.Ireland's meteorological service said its highest gust was 109mph at Fastnet Rock.
The Met Office's amber warning for Northern Ireland, western Wales and western parts of Scotland is still in force for gusts of up to 80mph - strong enough to bring down trees. The Met Office's amber warning for Northern Ireland, western Wales and western parts of Scotland is still in force for wind.
Despite the attention on the wind, other parts of the UK have seen unseasonably warm temperatures and red skies. Forecasters are predicting that the far south-west of Scotland will see winds of 80mph on Monday evening, followed by 60mph gusts over Glasgow and the central belt in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The ex-hurricane had dragged in tropical air and dust from the Sahara combined with the debris from forest fires in Portugal and Spain making the sky appear red. The main danger facing Scottish commuters in the morning would be debris on roads, they said.
Other parts of the UK have seen unseasonably warm temperatures.
And skies have turned red and yellow as Ophelia drags dust from the Sahara through the atmosphere.
It could be several days before power is restored to some homes in the Republic of Ireland, ESB Networks has warned.It could be several days before power is restored to some homes in the Republic of Ireland, ESB Networks has warned.
The roof of Cork's football stadium has also been blown off by the winds.The roof of Cork's football stadium has also been blown off by the winds.
In Wales, the Cleddau Bridge was shut to high-sided vehicles, Pembrokeshire County Council said. All schools in the county have been closed.
Elsewhere in the UK, skies have turned red and yellow as Ophelia drags dust from the Sahara through the atmosphere.
Ophelia has arrived from the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean and coincides with the 30th anniversary of the UK's Great Storm of 1987.Ophelia has arrived from the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean and coincides with the 30th anniversary of the UK's Great Storm of 1987.
The BBC's Ireland correspondent, Chris Page, said it would be the most severe storm to hit Ireland in half a century.The BBC's Ireland correspondent, Chris Page, said it would be the most severe storm to hit Ireland in half a century.
The Irish Republic's Met Eireann said the storm was forecast to continue travelling north over western parts of Ireland, with "violent and destructive gusts" of 75mph to 93mph expected countrywide.The Irish Republic's Met Eireann said the storm was forecast to continue travelling north over western parts of Ireland, with "violent and destructive gusts" of 75mph to 93mph expected countrywide.
It also warned of possible flooding due to heavy rain and storm surges.It also warned of possible flooding due to heavy rain and storm surges.
"There is a danger to life and property," it said."There is a danger to life and property," it said.
It has issued a red alert for the country.It has issued a red alert for the country.
In England, three flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected - have been issued in the South West, and there are several flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible - across other parts of the country.In England, three flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected - have been issued in the South West, and there are several flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible - across other parts of the country.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has put a series of flood alerts and warnings in place for south-west Scotland.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has put a series of flood alerts and warnings in place for south-west Scotland.
In other developments:In other developments:
BBC Weather said Monday would be a "day of huge contrasts" with the strong gusts of wind travelling over the Irish Sea and heading north to central and southern Scotland, sparing eastern parts of the UK.
Eastern England is instead expected to enjoy unseasonably warm weather, with temperatures of 22C or 23C on Monday - compared with an average for mid-October of 15C.
Highs of 24C were recorded in the region on Saturday as some parts of the country basked in a "mini heatwave" thanks to warm air brought by Ophelia.
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Are you affected by Hurricane Ophelia? E-mail your stories and pictures to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you affected by Hurricane Ophelia? E-mail your stories and pictures to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
Please do not put yourself in any danger to take images and please heed all safety warnings.Please do not put yourself in any danger to take images and please heed all safety warnings.
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