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Schools closed as Ireland braces for landfall of Hurricane Ophelia Schools closed as Ireland braces for landfall of Hurricane Ophelia
(35 minutes later)
The island of Ireland is bracing itself for Hurricane Ophelia with a red weather warning issued for the Republic and Northern Ireland. Ireland is bracing itself for Hurricane Ophelia with a red weather warning issued for the Republic and an amber warning issued for Northern Ireland.
Education officials have ordered the closure of all educational facilities across the island. A statement from Ireland’s Department of Education said the closures were necessary following official advice on the “unprecedented storm”. Education officials have ordered the closure of all educational facilities across the island. A statement from Ireland’s Department of Education and Skills said the closures were necessary following official advice on the “unprecedented storm”.
All Schools,Colleges and other Education institutions closed tomorrow 16 October see https://t.co/IrcHWyyBKMAll Schools,Colleges and other Education institutions closed tomorrow 16 October see https://t.co/IrcHWyyBKM
Met Éireann – the Republic’s weather service – warned on Sunday night that lives could be in danger as the Ophelia hits the country’s Atlantic seaboard with winds of up to 100mph. Met Éireann – the Republic’s weather service – warned on Sunday night that lives could be in danger as the Ophelia hits the country’s Atlantic coast with winds of up to 100mph.
Red alert is the highest warning Met Éireann can issue.Red alert is the highest warning Met Éireann can issue.
“Ophelia is forecast to track directly over Ireland during the daytime [on Monday] A Met Éireann spokesperson said on Sunday: “Ophelia is forecast to track directly over Ireland during the daytime tomorrow.
“Violent and destructive gusts are forecast with all areas at risk and in particular the southwest and south in the morning, and eastern counties in the afternoon. “Violent and destructive gusts are forecast with all areas at risk and in particular the south-west and south in the morning, and eastern counties in the afternoon.
“Heavy rain and storm surges along some coasts will result in flooding. There is potential risk to lives,” said a Met Éireann spokesperson. “Heavy rain and storm surges along some coasts will result in flooding. There is potential risk to lives.”
To underline the serious risk Ophelia poses to public safety Met Éireann also warned that it could be as bad the 1961 Hurricane Debbie, the most powerful cyclone ever to hit Ireland and which caused 18 deaths. To underline the serious risk Ophelia poses to public safety, Met Éireann also warned that it could be as bad the 1961 Hurricane Debbie, the most powerful cyclone ever to hit Ireland, which caused 18 deaths.
Joanna Donnelly, Met Éireann meteorologist, told viewers during Sunday night’s weather forecast on RTE television that “this is not the remnants of a hurricane – this is a hurricane”. Joanna Donnelly, a Met Éireann meteorologist, told viewers during Sunday night’s weather forecast on RTE television that “this is not the remnants of a hurricane – this is a hurricane”.
Forecast position of Storm #Ophelia at midday on Monday.Read the latest guidance from Met Eireann & the NHC here:https://t.co/LhHdGAtYWb pic.twitter.com/vpkMvFCJaFForecast position of Storm #Ophelia at midday on Monday.Read the latest guidance from Met Eireann & the NHC here:https://t.co/LhHdGAtYWb pic.twitter.com/vpkMvFCJaF
As well as the nationwide closure of schools and colleges, court sittings in the counties expected to be battered most by Ophelia have been cancelled.As well as the nationwide closure of schools and colleges, court sittings in the counties expected to be battered most by Ophelia have been cancelled.
The Irish Coastguard has advised the public to avoid any visits or walks to coastal or cliff areas. The country’s National Emergency Coordination Committee, which met earlier on Sunday, has also advised cyclists not to go out on their bikes. The Irish coastguard has advised the public to avoid any visits or walks to coastal or cliff areas. The country’s national emergency coordination committee, which met earlier on Sunday, has also advised cyclists not to go out on their bikes.
Stena Line has cancelled ferries on its Dublin to Holyhead, Rosslare to Fishguard and Belfast to Liverpool sailings. At least 50 Aer Lingus flights out of Ireland on Monday have also been cancelled.Stena Line has cancelled ferries on its Dublin to Holyhead, Rosslare to Fishguard and Belfast to Liverpool sailings. At least 50 Aer Lingus flights out of Ireland on Monday have also been cancelled.
⚠️ A number of flights on Mon 16 Oct are cancelled due to severe weather. Live flight info is available at https://t.co/X9sMVK8t8y #Ophelia⚠️ A number of flights on Mon 16 Oct are cancelled due to severe weather. Live flight info is available at https://t.co/X9sMVK8t8y #Ophelia
The Irish Defence Forces have put on standby to help out with flood defences and any potential evacuations. The Irish Defence Forces have been put on standby to help out with flood defences and any potential evacuations.
In Northern Ireland the Met Office in the region said there could be winds of up to 80mph in the southeast on Monday. In Northern Ireland the Met Office in the region said there could be winds of up to 80mph in the south-east on Monday.
John Wylie, Met Office spokesman, said: “The Met Office has issued an amber warning, that means a greater likelihood of damaging winds through the latter part of Monday afternoon and evening, particularly for the evening rush hours.” John Wylie, a Met Office spokesman, said: “The Met Office has issued an amber warning. That means a greater likelihood of damaging winds through the latter part of Monday afternoon and evening, particularly for the evening rush hours.”
“There is the potential for damage to trees, there could be a danger to life from flying debris.”“There is the potential for damage to trees, there could be a danger to life from flying debris.”
Northern Ireland Electricity said it has engineering crews on standby to deal with potential outages caused by the storm.Northern Ireland Electricity said it has engineering crews on standby to deal with potential outages caused by the storm.