Track Ophelia – updates below
Tune in to Highland Radio news tomorrow morning from 7am for the latest on any damage caused by Storm Ophelia – there will also be reaction on the 9 ’til Noon show with Greg from 9am.
21.00
It would appear the worst of the storm is over. The strongest gust recorded was 137 km/h in Waterford. The strongest gust at Malin head was 104 km/h. Gusts of 182 k/mh were recorded at Malin Head during Hurricane Debbie in 1961
Evelyn Cusack is from Met Éireann.
She says the most severe gales are dissipating:
20.53
The Road Safety Authority (RSA), is advising people that they need to remain vigilant in the aftermath of storm Ophelia and expect the unexpected as many roads will be treacherous.
When storm Ophelia has passed the danger to road users will still be present. Many roads around the country will be blocked and treacherous with downed trees, branches and pylons. Council workers and emergency services will be out clearing these routes and people need to anticipate encountering these scenarios when using the roads.
On coastal routes there will still be a risk of encountering flooded roads. Drivers need to slow down, keep an extra distance from the vehicle in front and expect the unexpected.
Pedestrians and cyclists should be aware of potential hazards. The severe winds may have loosened roof tiles and other objects from buildings and these may still pose a potential risk. Be aware of what’s happening above you and stay clear from the edges of buildings. Leaves on footpaths and the road sides will make for slippery conditions.
Most importantly road users need to obey any road closures or detours that An Garda Síochána or Local Authorities put in place.
20.26
14 homes have lost power in Buncrana. 73 remain without power in Rosgeir, almost 100 without power in Bundoran. 15 properties have lost power in Derrybeg
19.34
Up to half a million customers could be without power by the end of storm Ophelia.
At least 360 thousand homes are without power this evening, as ESB crews start their work to restore power in the south – there are almost 200 people without power as of writing in Co Donegal.
The northern half of the country is still being lashed by ex-hurricane Ophelia, which has claimed three lives.
19.33
Reports of significant gusts across Donegal with some trees down
18.53 National overview
People are still being urged to stay indoors this evening after Storm Ophelia claimed three lives.
The accidents occurred in Louth, Tipperary and Waterford during Ireland’s worst storms in over 50 years.
Stephanie Grogan reports
18.43
All campuses of North West Regional College will remain closed for staff and students tomorrow, Tuesday, October 17.
18.25 Power out!!
100 homes without power in Bundoran – 73 without power in Rosgier
18.11
All National Parks and Reserves will remain closed to the public tomorrow, Tuesday, 17 October, pending the conduction of safety inspections.
18.10
Bus Éireann plan to operate a full schedule of services tomorrow (October 17) from 0500 hours, with the exception of services provided under the School Transport Scheme.
This is due to the decision of the Department of Education and Skills that all schools should remain closed tomorrow.
18.03
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade public offices, including the Passport Service offices in Dublin and Cork, will open as normal on Tuesday 17 October.
Customers who were due to attend for passport appointments on Monday 16th October should do so instead on Tuesday 17th and every effort will be made to accommodate them. Those who already have appointments for Tuesday 17th should attend as scheduled.
17.45
The northern half of the country is on high alert as Ophelia continues to lash Ireland.
Up to half a million households could be without power in the next few hours.
Public transport has been cancelled for the rest of the day, and schools will remain shut tomorrow.
Juliette Gash reports;
17.29 Update on school closures
All primary and secondary schools will remain closed tomorrow due to storm Ophelia.
Sean O’Foghlu from the Dept of Education says they wanted to give families time to make arrangements
17.21 The communications company Eir says over 11 thousand of its customers are without broadband, telephone and mobile services due to Ophelia.
The company says 90 of its mobile masts are out of action due to the storm.
It’s expecting the numbers affected to rise.
So far the Southwest, West and Midlands are worst hit.
16.40 Sitt LocalLink Donegal says:
Transport to all HSE day centres,day hospitals,training centres,ID centres is cancelled for tomorrow Tuesday 17th October. Please share. At present Locallink/Rural Transport Services will operate. Please check our page for regular updates as changes to routes/schedules are possible from early Tuesday morning depending on local conditions.
16.39
Dublin Airport Authority says 160 flights have been cancelled today.
Chief Communications Officer is Paul O’Kane has this advice for those affected:
16:37 School gym’s roof blown off in Cork
Dramatic footage of the roof being blown off #Douglas Community School’s gym on southside of #Cork city #Ophelia #iestaff pic.twitter.com/0dSw5w1rTj
— Eoin English (@EoinBearla) October 16, 2017
Latest forecast data for #Ophelia
Centre of the low now moving off the north Mayo coast. pic.twitter.com/ECROjIe7nL— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 16, 2017
16.24 Up to half a million homes could be without power in the next couple of hours, according to the ESB.
At the moment, just over 360 thousand homes have been cut off by Storm Ophelia.
Operations manager with ESB Networks, Derek Hynes says the majority of those customers are in the south west.
16.19 BMI Regional flights, BM1507 and BM1508 between City of Derry Airport and London Stansted this evening have been cancelled as a result of adverse weather #Ophelia
Flights to and from elsewhere in Northern Ireland are also affected.
Graham Keddie is the Managing Director of Belfast City Airport.
16.14 All schools are to remain closed on Tuesday as the country deals with Storm Ophelia.
Education Minister Richard Bruton says the decision was made “following careful consideration by the National Emergency Coordination Group”.
“This decision was primarily taken in the interests of child safety and on the basis of information available in what is a developing situation.
“While it is recognised that some schools may not be as badly impacted as others, the information available at this time indicates that over 350,000 businesses and homes already without power, severe winds continue to cause damage across the country as the storm progresses.
“It is also the case that school authorities will in very many cases not have had an opportunity to check their buildings and confirm they are safe, have power and water, and that routes to the school are safely open.
“It is recognised that the decision to close schools will have a major impact on families and on the workforce. However, this decision has been taken in the interests of safety for children and to provide clarity for everyone concerned”.
16.13 Tree down on the railway walk at Loughanure, public asked to stay away from the walkway until the storm passes.
16.13 Storm Ophelia has claimed the lives of three people as it moves across the country.
A man in his 30’s has died in a chainsaw accident while trying to clear a fallen tree in County Tipperary.
A woman in her 50’s was killed when a tree fell on her car in Waterford – while a third person has been killed after a falling tree struck a car in Ravensdale, north of Dundalk County Louth.
16.12 Derry City and Strabane District Council has advised that from 3pm today all of its facilities including its leisure centres, parks and open spaces will close in the interests of the health and safety of the public and its staff.
16.03 Thousands without power across Ireland as the storm tracks north
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