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Ex-Hurricane Ophelia: Ireland braces for landfall of 'violent and destructive' storm – live Ex-Hurricane Ophelia: Ireland battered by 'violent and destructive' storm – live
(35 minutes later)
11.47am BST
11:47
Reports of Ophelia making landfall
Storm watchers reckon Ophelia is making landfall in County Kerry.
Looks like #OPEHLIA's surface center is making landfall in Kerry County, near Valentia Island, #Ireland. #Hurricane gusts pounding coast. pic.twitter.com/eal6XMPoM9
Looks like the core (not really "eye" anymore) of #Ophelia is about to make landfall on the south coast of Ireland pic.twitter.com/vVSzdHavGV
Broadcaster RTE also report the storm making landfall
#Ophelia has made landfall - sustained winds in Roches Point of 93 km/h; gust of 131 km/h. Sherkin Island weather station down pic.twitter.com/SdRN6uhhvn
11.40am BST
11:40
Met Eireann has issued a new warning for “violent and destructive gusts” of up 150 kmph (93mph) across Ireland and even strong gusts in coastal and hilly areas.
It repeated a warning to life and property, with the strongest winds in the provinces of Munster and south Leinster.
IMPORTANT NOTE:The National Hurricane Centre is no longer forecasting for #OpheliaPlease refer to Met Eireann for all official forecasts. pic.twitter.com/9lCbXNJdJc
11.29am BST
11:29
Ophelia forces Bill Clinton to postpone Stormont intervention
Henry McDonald
Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has appealed to the Irish public to stay indoors as Storm Ophelia batters Ireland.
Referring to the biggest storm recorded in Irish history, Debbie in the 1960s, he said: “The last time we had a storm this severe 11 lives were lost so safety is our number one priority.”
Speaking in Dublin ahead of a cabinet meeting to co-ordinate Ireland’s response to the storm, Varadkar reminded the public that the ‘red’ weather warning applied to all cities and all counties across Ireland.
And he warned that the danger to public safety was not over even after the storm had passed over the island as there would be fallen trees and felled power lines, many of which could still be live, all across the country in the aftermath of Ophelia.
A media briefing by the Northern Ireland Office at Stormont today has been cancelled.
Former US President, Bill Clinton, was scheduled to speak in the city today and deliver an address urging Northern Ireland’s political parties to find a solution that would restore devolved government in the region.
During his trip Clinton was to hold talks with the parties represented at the Stormont Assembly. Clinton was due to be in Ireland to receive an award from Dublin City University later on Monday evening.
BREAKING - @PA understands Storm Ophelia has forced @BillClinton to postpone Stormont crisis intervention.Talks w/ DUP/SF may now happen 2m.
Updated
at 11.34am BST
11.25am BST
11:25
Kevin Moran, minister for flood relief, warned that the storm will bring flooding and widespread structural damage.
Speaking at that press conference in Dublin he said: “This storm is over 120km in width so it is going to do an awful lot of structural damage to the whole country. There is going to be flooding in some parts of the country, but we don’t know the level. This is unprecedented.
“What we are seeing happening in Cork at the present time and the amount of electricity that’s out, if that is to ripple right through then we’re faced with an awful problem tomorrow and right into the weekend.”
Asked whether the Irish government had done enough to prepare the country, Moran said: “That’s an unfair question. We have spoken to every local authority in the country.”
Varadkar said homeless people will be allowed to stay in hostels throughout the day to day to protect them from the storm.
11.15am BST11.15am BST
11:1511:15
Engineers from the UK are set to travel to Ireland to help restore power, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told that press conference.Engineers from the UK are set to travel to Ireland to help restore power, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told that press conference.
He said: “So far we don’t have any reports of any injuries, but we do have trees down and power outrages. About 15,000 are without power ... in Cork.He said: “So far we don’t have any reports of any injuries, but we do have trees down and power outrages. About 15,000 are without power ... in Cork.
“Staff are ready to come in from Northern Ireland and Britain to assist in the coming days in restoring power. We can only restore the power lines when it is safe to do so.”“Staff are ready to come in from Northern Ireland and Britain to assist in the coming days in restoring power. We can only restore the power lines when it is safe to do so.”
He added: “While in some parts of the country the storm is not yet that bad it is coming your way and this is a national red alert. It applies to all cities all counties and all areas.He added: “While in some parts of the country the storm is not yet that bad it is coming your way and this is a national red alert. It applies to all cities all counties and all areas.
“Even after the storm has passed there will still be dangers. There will be trees on the ground. There will be power lines down.”“Even after the storm has passed there will still be dangers. There will be trees on the ground. There will be power lines down.”
An Taoiseach and Ministers briefing the Media and emphasising the need for the public to heed the public safety messages being issued pic.twitter.com/F5UMsLIPiVAn Taoiseach and Ministers briefing the Media and emphasising the need for the public to heed the public safety messages being issued pic.twitter.com/F5UMsLIPiV
11.01am BST11.01am BST
11:0111:01
Wind speeds of more than 77 mph (124kmph) were recorded at Cork Airport at 10am, while an offshore speeds of more than 109 mph was recorded on Fastnet Rock.Wind speeds of more than 77 mph (124kmph) were recorded at Cork Airport at 10am, while an offshore speeds of more than 109 mph was recorded on Fastnet Rock.
Graphic of the max wind gusts to 10am.Highest gusts since 10am:Cork Airport 124km/hFastnet Rock (6.5km offshore) 176km/h#Ophelia pic.twitter.com/xbiGhh2OFEGraphic of the max wind gusts to 10am.Highest gusts since 10am:Cork Airport 124km/hFastnet Rock (6.5km offshore) 176km/h#Ophelia pic.twitter.com/xbiGhh2OFE
10.54am BST10.54am BST
10:5410:54
Varadkar urges people to stay indoors as the storm passes. He said the government’s priority is to avoid injury. So far no injuries have been reported, he said.Varadkar urges people to stay indoors as the storm passes. He said the government’s priority is to avoid injury. So far no injuries have been reported, he said.
He urges people to work from home where possible.He urges people to work from home where possible.
10.49am BST10.49am BST
10:4910:49
Ireland’s Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is giving a TV address.Ireland’s Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is giving a TV address.
Stream will be here: https://t.co/fECzoTMCp9 https://t.co/esLnwXQZ66Stream will be here: https://t.co/fECzoTMCp9 https://t.co/esLnwXQZ66
10.47am BST10.47am BST
10:4710:47
22,000 homes in Ireland without power22,000 homes in Ireland without power
Henry McDonaldHenry McDonald
There are now 22,000 customers hit with power cuts as lines are knocked down, according to the Electricity Supply Board in the Irish Republic.There are now 22,000 customers hit with power cuts as lines are knocked down, according to the Electricity Supply Board in the Irish Republic.
An ESB spokeswoman appealed to the public to stay away from fallen power lines as many of them are still live.An ESB spokeswoman appealed to the public to stay away from fallen power lines as many of them are still live.
10.36am BST10.36am BST
10:3610:36
Ireland’s prime minister, Leo Varadkar, is due to give a live TV address in the next few minutes.Ireland’s prime minister, Leo Varadkar, is due to give a live TV address in the next few minutes.
Taoiseach @campaignforleo statement on #Ophelia at 1040am. News Special @RTEONE from 1030, @TodaySOR continues @RTERadio1 & live @RTENewsNowTaoiseach @campaignforleo statement on #Ophelia at 1040am. News Special @RTEONE from 1030, @TodaySOR continues @RTERadio1 & live @RTENewsNow
10.19am BST10.19am BST
10:1910:19
Gust of more than 100mph were recorded as Tropical storm Ophelia approaches the southern coast of Ireland. A speed of of 165kmph (103mph) was recorded at an amateur station in Durrus, in county Cork.Gust of more than 100mph were recorded as Tropical storm Ophelia approaches the southern coast of Ireland. A speed of of 165kmph (103mph) was recorded at an amateur station in Durrus, in county Cork.
#Ophelia - Les vents deviennent désormais bien violents. Rafale à 165 km/h relevée sur une station amateur de Durrus #Irlande. pic.twitter.com/6TnM0H13YI#Ophelia - Les vents deviennent désormais bien violents. Rafale à 165 km/h relevée sur une station amateur de Durrus #Irlande. pic.twitter.com/6TnM0H13YI
A speed of 92 was recorded at an official station on Fastnet Rock.A speed of 92 was recorded at an official station on Fastnet Rock.
BREAKING: Met Eireann are reporting a gust of 92mph at #Fastnet Rock https://t.co/T1yhu8PzNT #Ophelia AlinaBREAKING: Met Eireann are reporting a gust of 92mph at #Fastnet Rock https://t.co/T1yhu8PzNT #Ophelia Alina
Here’s satellite imagery from the National Weather Service Ocean Prediction Center.Here’s satellite imagery from the National Weather Service Ocean Prediction Center.
Here's our first look at post-tropical #Ophelia this morning as it barrels toward the SW coast of #Ireland with #hurricane force winds! pic.twitter.com/pmnZ6nr2CgHere's our first look at post-tropical #Ophelia this morning as it barrels toward the SW coast of #Ireland with #hurricane force winds! pic.twitter.com/pmnZ6nr2Cg
And this is the latest forecast track from the Irish Met office, Met Eireann.And this is the latest forecast track from the Irish Met office, Met Eireann.
Here's the forecast track of #OpheliaNote the strongest winds will be to the east of the centre of the storm. pic.twitter.com/t4RwSESOeVHere's the forecast track of #OpheliaNote the strongest winds will be to the east of the centre of the storm. pic.twitter.com/t4RwSESOeV
The storm has yet to make landfall.The storm has yet to make landfall.
10.04am BST10.04am BST
10:0410:04
Here’s a map showing the forecast path of the storm.Here’s a map showing the forecast path of the storm.
10.03am BST10.03am BST
10:0310:03
Henry McDonaldHenry McDonald
There are already 5,000 homes without electricity due to power lines coming down as Storm Ophelia hits the south and southwest of Ireland.There are already 5,000 homes without electricity due to power lines coming down as Storm Ophelia hits the south and southwest of Ireland.
Most of the power outages so far are in Cork and Kerry and where police said trees and power lines have already been brought down.Most of the power outages so far are in Cork and Kerry and where police said trees and power lines have already been brought down.
With the “red” weather warning now extended to the entire Irish Republic, the Gardai have advised people to stay indoors and only go out for essential journeys.With the “red” weather warning now extended to the entire Irish Republic, the Gardai have advised people to stay indoors and only go out for essential journeys.
Dublin Bus has withdrawn all its services in the Irish capital from 10am to 6pm tonight.Dublin Bus has withdrawn all its services in the Irish capital from 10am to 6pm tonight.
In Northern Ireland meanwhile the Lord Chief Justice has ordered all courts to be shut by 12.30pm.And the Department of Agriculture has just announced the closure of all forest parks in Northern Ireland for the day. The closure of all schools and colleges including universities is unprecedented for Northern Ireland.In Northern Ireland meanwhile the Lord Chief Justice has ordered all courts to be shut by 12.30pm.And the Department of Agriculture has just announced the closure of all forest parks in Northern Ireland for the day. The closure of all schools and colleges including universities is unprecedented for Northern Ireland.
Here’s the stormy scene in Ballyrisode, in Cork south-west Ireland.Here’s the stormy scene in Ballyrisode, in Cork south-west Ireland.
Boiling Ballyrisode just now. #Ophelia #westcork #Mizen pic.twitter.com/v3Q4wL93NGBoiling Ballyrisode just now. #Ophelia #westcork #Mizen pic.twitter.com/v3Q4wL93NG
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.07am BSTat 10.07am BST
9.50am BST9.50am BST
09:5009:50
Amber weather warning extendedAmber weather warning extended
The Met Office has extended an amber weather warning to parts of Scotland, Wales and northern England threatening power cuts and falling debris.The Met Office has extended an amber weather warning to parts of Scotland, Wales and northern England threatening power cuts and falling debris.
Amber Warning of Wind for SW Scotland, Lothian Borders https://t.co/xpzna8ZcmY pic.twitter.com/hryWJeBvUXAmber Warning of Wind for SW Scotland, Lothian Borders https://t.co/xpzna8ZcmY pic.twitter.com/hryWJeBvUX
It said:It said:
A spell of very windy weather is expected today in association with ex-Ophelia. Longer journey times and cancellations are likely, as road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected as well as some bridge closures. There is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage. Flying debris is likely, such as tiles blown from roofs, as well as large waves around coastal districts with beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties. This leads to the potential for injuries and danger to life. This warning has been updated to extend it into parts of north and west Wales and into the extreme southwest of Scotland. A spell of very windy weather is expected today in association with ex-Ophelia. Longer journey times and cancellations are likely, as road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected as well as some bridge closures. There is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage. Flying debris is likely, such as tiles blown from roofs, as well as large waves around coastal districts with beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties. This leads to the potential for injuries and danger to life. This warning has been updated to extend it into parts of north and west Wales and into the extreme south-west of Scotland.
Updated
at 11.58am BST