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Ireland braces for landfall of 'violent and destructive' ex-Hurricane Ophelia – live updates Ireland braces for landfall of 'violent and destructive' ex-Hurricane Ophelia – live updates
(35 minutes later)
8.59am BST
08:59
Henry McDonald
As Storm Ophelia barrels towards Ireland Irish President Michael D Higgins has issued an appeal for people to heed the warnings about the dangers it poses.
Speaking from Australia where he is on a state visit, President Higgins said he hoped everyone “took the necessary precautions” to protect life and property when the storm reaches the Republic from the middle of the morning onwards.
President Higgins urged people to follow Government advice and take precautions in advance of hurricane #Ophelia making landfall today.
Ireland’s Transport Minister Shane Ross has warned of huge disruption to the country’s transport network today.
Ross said he was urging the public “not to travel if at all possible” on Monday.
There are now 140 flights cancelled from Ireland, Bus Eireann has announced all its school services are shut and the Garda Siochana have urged cyclists not to go out on their bikes today.
Colleges and schools in both the Republic and Northern Ireland are all closed for the day with the Irish weather service, Met Eireann warning again today on RTE radio that Ophelia still has the “potential for hurricane force winds and hurricane force gusts.”
Ophelia is expected to the south and southwest of Ireland around 10am.
8.56am BST
08:56
People in many parts of Ireland have been warned to stay in doors at various times of the day while the storm passes. A general warning not to cycle at all today is also in force from Transport for Ireland.
. @MetEireann advises the public to stay indoors from these times: @emergencyIE #Ophelia https://t.co/xsWqPe1RrD pic.twitter.com/MelCSS6hia
Due to #ophelia @GardaTraffic have urged motorists & the public not to make non-essential journeys - they advise people not to cycle at all
The bus service in Dublin has warned that all buses in the city will be withdrawn from 10am.
#DBSvcUpdate #Ophelia - Dublin Bus services to be withdrawn at 10.00. For regular updates check https://t.co/0uRvRD7axh pic.twitter.com/2zQiTADloy
8.46am BST
08:46
Waves of almost 27ft high have been recored south-west of Ireland as the storm heads towards landfall, Dave Throup a seasoned storm watcher from the UK’s Environment Agency notes.
Weather buoy off SW Ireland now recoding 27ft waves as ex Hurricane Ophelia approaches. pic.twitter.com/cnGlSddKLg
To put that in perspective.... pic.twitter.com/HKuqmyJxGF
No sign of any such waves near the Irish coast yet, but the wind is picking up according to RTE’s Brian O’Connell in Portmagee, on Ireland’s south-west coast.
Gusts have really picked up here in Portmagee, Kerry. #OPHELIA @TodaySOR pic.twitter.com/6lGjYFlL1G
8.22am BST8.22am BST
08:2208:22
Matthew WeaverMatthew Weaver
This is Matthew Weaver with live coverage on the impact of ex-hurricane Ophelia which is is due to make landfall in the next hour.This is Matthew Weaver with live coverage on the impact of ex-hurricane Ophelia which is is due to make landfall in the next hour.
It is expected to batter Ireland and Northern Ireland with gusts of up to 80mph, threatening widespread disruption and life-threatening conditions.It is expected to batter Ireland and Northern Ireland with gusts of up to 80mph, threatening widespread disruption and life-threatening conditions.
The weather system has weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm, but Ireland’s Met Office has issued a red weather warning meaning potential danger to life.The weather system has weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm, but Ireland’s Met Office has issued a red weather warning meaning potential danger to life.
Schools in Ireland have been closed along with many government buildings and courts.Schools in Ireland have been closed along with many government buildings and courts.
Southern and western coasts are set to bear the initial brunt in the morning before it moves north. A rare warning of hurricane force 12 winds was issued in Monday’s shipping forecast for areas south and west of Ireland.Southern and western coasts are set to bear the initial brunt in the morning before it moves north. A rare warning of hurricane force 12 winds was issued in Monday’s shipping forecast for areas south and west of Ireland.
It said: “Severe gale nine to violent storm 11 occasionally hurricane force 12 at first in North Fitzroy, Sole, Fastnet and Shannon.”It said: “Severe gale nine to violent storm 11 occasionally hurricane force 12 at first in North Fitzroy, Sole, Fastnet and Shannon.”
An amber warning is in place for Northern Ireland, with the UK Met Office warning of potential power cuts, and disruption to transport and mobile phone reception. Flying debris such as roof tiles could be a danger to life, it said.An amber warning is in place for Northern Ireland, with the UK Met Office warning of potential power cuts, and disruption to transport and mobile phone reception. Flying debris such as roof tiles could be a danger to life, it said.
An #amber weather warning for Ex-Hurricane #Ophelia has been issued, but what does that mean? Stay #weatheraware https://t.co/EFVGlpF0N1 pic.twitter.com/dpFKpp5XD6An #amber weather warning for Ex-Hurricane #Ophelia has been issued, but what does that mean? Stay #weatheraware https://t.co/EFVGlpF0N1 pic.twitter.com/dpFKpp5XD6
The storm has arrived 30 years and a day after the Great Storm of October 1987.The storm has arrived 30 years and a day after the Great Storm of October 1987.