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Storm Ophelia: third person killed in Ireland, police confirm - latest updates Storm Ophelia: third person killed in Ireland, police confirm - latest updates
(35 minutes later)
10.02pm BST
22:02
The remnants of the Ophelia hurricane are due to batter the western parts of Scotland from around midnight tonight although effects are already being felt.
💨 🌊 ☔ Eeekkk the winds are picking up!#Ophelia is on her way so remember to check before you travel! If possible, stay indoors!♥ pic.twitter.com/w0bde3mBVC
The Met Office has an an amber warning covering Dumfries and Galloway, Lothian and Borders, and Strathclyde, with winds up to 80mph expected. Other parts of Scotland have a lower yellow warning.
Dumfries & Galloway getting the brunt but #Ophelia to spread across West to Central and Southern Scotland. Plan ahead & stay safe https://t.co/6YJuREp5zr
People are being advised to check weather and traffic reports before travelling, or to stay indoors if possible as the storms begins to make landfall.
Several wind warnings for northern parts overnight & into tomorrow. Keep up to date here: https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs #Ophelia #weatheraware pic.twitter.com/7g3wy3ayYn
Although the strongest winds are likely overnight they may last into the morning’s busy travel period across the central belt of Scotland and in the north east of England.
9.18pm BST9.18pm BST
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Here is a live animated map showing where Storm Ophelia is now. It is currently heading towards the west coast of Scotland and forecasters have warned that Scotland is “in for a rough night”.Here is a live animated map showing where Storm Ophelia is now. It is currently heading towards the west coast of Scotland and forecasters have warned that Scotland is “in for a rough night”.
8.54pm BST8.54pm BST
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Henry McDonaldHenry McDonald
The Police Service of Northern Ireland have helped rescue a number of people from apartments on the Belfast Lough shore.The Police Service of Northern Ireland have helped rescue a number of people from apartments on the Belfast Lough shore.
Number of residents evacuated from apartments in Rodgers Quay, Carrickfergus due to risk of flooding posed by tidal surges. #OpheliaNumber of residents evacuated from apartments in Rodgers Quay, Carrickfergus due to risk of flooding posed by tidal surges. #Ophelia
The residents from Rodgers Quay in Carrickfergus were evacuated out of the complex following fears of tidal surges tonight.The residents from Rodgers Quay in Carrickfergus were evacuated out of the complex following fears of tidal surges tonight.
They have been taken to a local council hall for the evening, the PSNI said.They have been taken to a local council hall for the evening, the PSNI said.
A pub in Carrickfergus has also had to be evacuated tonight. In a tweet from the JD Wetherspoon-owned Central Bar, staff said: “Folks on advice from the PSNI we have had to evacuate the pub due to a possible and I must stress possible storm surge coming up Belfast Lough.A pub in Carrickfergus has also had to be evacuated tonight. In a tweet from the JD Wetherspoon-owned Central Bar, staff said: “Folks on advice from the PSNI we have had to evacuate the pub due to a possible and I must stress possible storm surge coming up Belfast Lough.
They added: “Stay safe, do not attempt to come to the pub at this time. We will keep you posted.”They added: “Stay safe, do not attempt to come to the pub at this time. We will keep you posted.”
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at 9.23pm BSTat 9.23pm BST
8.40pm BST8.40pm BST
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People in the Republic of Ireland are being advised that there may be some disruption to health services over the next few days.People in the Republic of Ireland are being advised that there may be some disruption to health services over the next few days.
Thank you to @AmbulanceNAS - doing us proud today, as always. Whilst we all stayed indoors, you went out to help others in need. Grateful. https://t.co/7EcTK7bcfVThank you to @AmbulanceNAS - doing us proud today, as always. Whilst we all stayed indoors, you went out to help others in need. Grateful. https://t.co/7EcTK7bcfV
Health minister Simon Harris released a statement asking those who do not have GP or hospital appointments to stay home unless it is urgent. He said:Health minister Simon Harris released a statement asking those who do not have GP or hospital appointments to stay home unless it is urgent. He said:
I want to thank all those who came to work today and went above and beyond. We do expect some continued disruption over the coming days but we can expect a gradual return to normal services.I want to thank all those who came to work today and went above and beyond. We do expect some continued disruption over the coming days but we can expect a gradual return to normal services.
The message for tomorrow is if you have an appointment turn up as planned, unless you hear otherwise. The main focus of our community services tomorrow and in the coming days will be dealing with the most vulnerable patients.The message for tomorrow is if you have an appointment turn up as planned, unless you hear otherwise. The main focus of our community services tomorrow and in the coming days will be dealing with the most vulnerable patients.
I would ask if you don’t have an appointment and if it’s not urgent please don’t attend your GP or hospital.I would ask if you don’t have an appointment and if it’s not urgent please don’t attend your GP or hospital.
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at 9.08pm BSTat 9.08pm BST
8.00pm BST8.00pm BST
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Locals on Ireland’s most northerly point have braved Storm Ophelia for a first-hand view of its impact on the Atlantic, the Press Association reports.Locals on Ireland’s most northerly point have braved Storm Ophelia for a first-hand view of its impact on the Atlantic, the Press Association reports.
As the ex-hurricane swept north, huge waves crashed into clifftops and blew the roof off a caravan at Malin Head.As the ex-hurricane swept north, huge waves crashed into clifftops and blew the roof off a caravan at Malin Head.
Local man Kevin Farren said:Local man Kevin Farren said:
I was sitting in my house looking out the window when I saw the roof of one of the caravans near us blow clean off. It just got lifted by the storm and blew along.I was sitting in my house looking out the window when I saw the roof of one of the caravans near us blow clean off. It just got lifted by the storm and blew along.
There are boats all along the pier here which the fishermen haven’t taken in. I’m not sure they’ll still be there when they come back tomorrow.There are boats all along the pier here which the fishermen haven’t taken in. I’m not sure they’ll still be there when they come back tomorrow.
The wind is always rough here, it’s certainly not the worst we’ve ever seen. Unless things get much worse overnight it won’t have been too bad.The wind is always rough here, it’s certainly not the worst we’ve ever seen. Unless things get much worse overnight it won’t have been too bad.
Malin Head previously held the record for the highest wind speed recorded on the island of Ireland at 113mph in 1961.Malin Head previously held the record for the highest wind speed recorded on the island of Ireland at 113mph in 1961.
It is thought that record has now transferred to Cork following Ophelia. Meteorologists with Met Éireann measured winds of 34 knots, or 40mph, at Malin Head as the storm swept over.It is thought that record has now transferred to Cork following Ophelia. Meteorologists with Met Éireann measured winds of 34 knots, or 40mph, at Malin Head as the storm swept over.
Another local, who declined to be named, said he lived nearby but had driven up to the clifftop at Banba’s Crown out of curiosity to see the storm as it passed.Another local, who declined to be named, said he lived nearby but had driven up to the clifftop at Banba’s Crown out of curiosity to see the storm as it passed.
It’s the first time we’ve ever had a red weather warning round these parts, so I came up to see what it would be like. It’s not that different to what we’d be used to the rest of the time because we have strong winds round here all the time as it’s so exposed. I think we’ll be safe enough.It’s the first time we’ve ever had a red weather warning round these parts, so I came up to see what it would be like. It’s not that different to what we’d be used to the rest of the time because we have strong winds round here all the time as it’s so exposed. I think we’ll be safe enough.
Many businesses in the surrounding area, including shops and cafes, were closed as a precautionary measure following warnings from authorities that people should not make unnecessary journeys.Many businesses in the surrounding area, including shops and cafes, were closed as a precautionary measure following warnings from authorities that people should not make unnecessary journeys.
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at 8.04pm BSTat 8.04pm BST
7.49pm BST7.49pm BST
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Henry McDonaldHenry McDonald
Trafficwatch NI has an interesting up-to-date figure on how Ophelia is causing chaos on Northern Ireland’s roads tonight. As of 6pm this evening there were 179 fallen trees or branches across the region’s roads.Trafficwatch NI has an interesting up-to-date figure on how Ophelia is causing chaos on Northern Ireland’s roads tonight. As of 6pm this evening there were 179 fallen trees or branches across the region’s roads.
#Ophelia up to 6pm we have 179 reports of fallen trees / branches in the 4 @deptinfra regions Eastern 48 Northern 30 Southern 83 Western 18#Ophelia up to 6pm we have 179 reports of fallen trees / branches in the 4 @deptinfra regions Eastern 48 Northern 30 Southern 83 Western 18
South Down is the area hardest hit by the storm on Monday evening and Trafficwatch NI points out that out of that 179 figure, 83 are roads in coastal parts of the county.South Down is the area hardest hit by the storm on Monday evening and Trafficwatch NI points out that out of that 179 figure, 83 are roads in coastal parts of the county.
Meanwhile there are now 18,500 customers without electricity due to felled and damaged power lines. And while schools and further education colleges will shut for a second day on Tuesday, both Queen’s University and Ulster University will reopen.Meanwhile there are now 18,500 customers without electricity due to felled and damaged power lines. And while schools and further education colleges will shut for a second day on Tuesday, both Queen’s University and Ulster University will reopen.
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at 7.58pm BSTat 7.58pm BST
7.19pm BST7.19pm BST
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Here’s a video Jon Williams of RTÉ News has posted on Twitter showing trees felled by the storm in Cork.Here’s a video Jon Williams of RTÉ News has posted on Twitter showing trees felled by the storm in Cork.
Perhaps most extraordinary image of #Ophelia: trees felled by storm near #Cork’s #GAA stadium, Páirc Uí Chaoimh. pic.twitter.com/OTMNqbtMNEPerhaps most extraordinary image of #Ophelia: trees felled by storm near #Cork’s #GAA stadium, Páirc Uí Chaoimh. pic.twitter.com/OTMNqbtMNE
7.17pm BST7.17pm BST
19:1719:17
Age UK is urging people to check on older family members and friends during the storm and make sure they are safe and comfortable.Age UK is urging people to check on older family members and friends during the storm and make sure they are safe and comfortable.
As Hurricane #Ophelia hits our shores, please check on older family & friends that they are safe & comfortable. RT. https://t.co/n214RV3RlEAs Hurricane #Ophelia hits our shores, please check on older family & friends that they are safe & comfortable. RT. https://t.co/n214RV3RlE
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.19pm BSTat 7.19pm BST
6.56pm BST6.56pm BST
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Henry McDonaldHenry McDonald
Although the Irish Defence Forces have been deployed through the day to help with flood defences and rescue missions across Ireland one of its units had to cancel training due to Ophelia.Although the Irish Defence Forces have been deployed through the day to help with flood defences and rescue missions across Ireland one of its units had to cancel training due to Ophelia.
Its 11th Infantry Battalion has had to call off an exercise to prepare them for UN peacekeeping duties in Lebanon. Their mission readiness exercise puts commanders and soldiers through a series of scenarios based on threats in the South Lebanon region.Its 11th Infantry Battalion has had to call off an exercise to prepare them for UN peacekeeping duties in Lebanon. Their mission readiness exercise puts commanders and soldiers through a series of scenarios based on threats in the South Lebanon region.
Troops were to be asked to secure, extract and evacuate personnel involved in a complex attack. However due to the storm, tomorrow’s exercise in the Glen of Imaal has been cancelled.Troops were to be asked to secure, extract and evacuate personnel involved in a complex attack. However due to the storm, tomorrow’s exercise in the Glen of Imaal has been cancelled.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.19pm BSTat 7.19pm BST
6.52pm BST6.52pm BST
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A charity has warned those with severe asthma to check forecasts and stay indoors where possible to avoid the dust.A charity has warned those with severe asthma to check forecasts and stay indoors where possible to avoid the dust.
Toxic air could be a risk to people with asthma. If you have severe asthma check weather forecasts & stay indoors if possible #Ophelia pic.twitter.com/JuvlKIQ0eEToxic air could be a risk to people with asthma. If you have severe asthma check weather forecasts & stay indoors if possible #Ophelia pic.twitter.com/JuvlKIQ0eE
Sonia Munde, head of the helpline at Asthma UK, said:Sonia Munde, head of the helpline at Asthma UK, said:
We are deeply concerned about the toxic air from Saharan dust that Hurricane Ophelia has churned up, as this could pose a severe risk for the 5.4 million people in the UK who have asthma. Winds picking up dust and particles in the air could trigger potentially fatal asthma attacks.We are deeply concerned about the toxic air from Saharan dust that Hurricane Ophelia has churned up, as this could pose a severe risk for the 5.4 million people in the UK who have asthma. Winds picking up dust and particles in the air could trigger potentially fatal asthma attacks.
6.45pm BST6.45pm BST
18:4518:45
About 16,000 customers are without electricity in Northern Ireland. That number is expected to rise as winds continue to strengthen.About 16,000 customers are without electricity in Northern Ireland. That number is expected to rise as winds continue to strengthen.
Here is a map Northern Ireland Electricity has produced outlining the areas where there are power outages this evening.Here is a map Northern Ireland Electricity has produced outlining the areas where there are power outages this evening.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.52pm BSTat 6.52pm BST