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Ex-Hurricane Ophelia: Ireland battered by 'violent and destructive' storm – live Ex-Hurricane Ophelia: Ireland battered by 'violent and destructive' storm – live
(35 minutes later)
12.34pm BST
12:34
Anglesey county council, in north Wales, has instructed all schools to close after lunch because of the threat posed by Ophelia.
We're advising all schools to close after lunch due to @metoffice amber (wind) warning. Schools will inform parents of local arrangements.
12.23pm BST
12:23
This video, from Sky News’s Dublin correspondent, vividly illustrates the storm’s force:
WATCH: Flooding will now be a problem as eye of storm passes over south west of Ireland. #Ophelia pic.twitter.com/h5g2Ar2mle
12.14pm BST
12:14
A series of flood alerts and flood watches are in force for south-west and north-west England.
Flood Alerts on N Devon & N Cornwall coasts due to very energetic waves & strong winds. More info on @EnvAgency : https://t.co/RSc51Fqxgs pic.twitter.com/SkOQQ3igfD
Flood warnings issued for Chesil, Lyme Regis and West Bay. Strong winds forecast. Take care on the coast: https://t.co/QdPKdEYx15 pic.twitter.com/q3mLyWk7Iy
Updated
at 12.27pm BST
12.11pm BST
12:11
Red sky in the morning, shepherds warning…
A red sun being seen in parts of the UK has been caused by particulates thrown up by Ophelia, according experts.
There's so many particulates in the air because of #HurricaneOphelia that the sun in Exeter has turned red at 10am pic.twitter.com/e6fp2ZT6LN
Anyone notice the red sun and strange light quality this morning? This has been caused by Saharan dust being drawn northwards by #Ophelia pic.twitter.com/KqN0D5EXfh
Updated
at 12.26pm BST
12.04pm BST
12:04
Henry McDonald
Belfast international airport has confirmed that it has cancelled 24 flights, most of them to or from the UK.
A spokesman said the airport is on standby to take diverted flights destined for Dublin including a number of transatlantic flights.
11.58 am Find live flight information via this link- https://t.co/hneV94ny9a pic.twitter.com/U8PS6pz9FF
Updated
at 12.26pm BST
12.02pm BST
12:02
Up to 100,000 homes and businesses without power
Up to 100,000 homes and businesses in Ireland are now without power, according to Derek Hynes, operations manager of the electricity supplier ECB. He warned a news briefing that more homes will be without power by the end of the day.
He said:
We have, and we will have had, trees falling on our network over the course of this morning. We do have, and we have more, live electrical wires on the ground. Please stay safe by staying clear of all fallen electricity wires. We are approaching 100,000 homes and businesses without electricity. They are predominantly in an area from Cork city west and north up as far as Tralee.
That currently comprises a total of about 400 individual outages. Each one of these individual outages is a potential threat to members of the public in terms of fallen wires on the ground.
Updated
at 12.23pm BST
11.47am BST11.47am BST
11:4711:47
Reports of Ophelia making landfallReports of Ophelia making landfall
Storm watchers reckon Ophelia is making landfall in County Kerry.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/eal6XMPoM9Looks 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/vVSzdHavGVLooks 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 Broadcaster RTE also reports 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#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
Updated
at 12.22pm BST
11.40am BST11.40am BST
11:4011:40
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. Met Éireann has issued a new warning for “violent and destructive gusts” of up 93mph (150 kmph) 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.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/9lCbXNJdJcIMPORTANT NOTE:The National Hurricane Centre is no longer forecasting for #OpheliaPlease refer to Met Eireann for all official forecasts. pic.twitter.com/9lCbXNJdJc
Updated
at 12.21pm BST
11.29am BST11.29am BST
11:2911:29
Ophelia forces Bill Clinton to postpone Stormont interventionOphelia forces Bill Clinton to postpone Stormont intervention
Henry McDonaldHenry McDonald
Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has appealed to the Irish public to stay indoors as Storm Ophelia batters Ireland. 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.”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. Speaking in Dublin before 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. And he warned that the danger to public safety was not over even after the storm had passed 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.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. 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. 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.BREAKING - @PA understands Storm Ophelia has forced @BillClinton to postpone Stormont crisis intervention.Talks w/ DUP/SF may now happen 2m.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.34am BST at 12.18pm BST
11.25am BST11.25am BST
11:2511:25
Kevin Moran, minister for flood relief, warned that the storm will bring flooding and widespread structural damage.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.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.”“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.”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. Varadkar said homeless people will be allowed to stay in hostels throughout the day to protect them from the storm.
11.15am BST
11:15
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.
“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.
“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/F5UMsLIPiV
11.01am BST
11:01
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.
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/xbiGhh2OFE
10.54am BST
10:54
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.
He urges people to work from home where possible.
10.49am BST
10:49
Ireland’s Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is giving a TV address.
Stream will be here: https://t.co/fECzoTMCp9 https://t.co/esLnwXQZ66
10.47am BST
10:47
22,000 homes in Ireland without power
Henry 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.
An ESB spokeswoman appealed to the public to stay away from fallen power lines as many of them are still live.
10.36am BST
10:36
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 @RTENewsNow
10.19am BST
10:19
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.
#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.
BREAKING: 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 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.
Here'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.
10.04am BST
10:04
Here’s a map showing the forecast path of the storm.
10.03am BST
10:03
Henry 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.
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.
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.
Here’s the stormy scene in Ballyrisode, in Cork south-west Ireland.
Boiling Ballyrisode just now. #Ophelia #westcork #Mizen pic.twitter.com/v3Q4wL93NG
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.07am BST at 12.12pm BST
9.50am BST
09:50
Amber 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.
Amber Warning of Wind for SW Scotland, Lothian Borders https://t.co/xpzna8ZcmY pic.twitter.com/hryWJeBvUX
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 south-west of Scotland.
Updated
at 11.58am BST