'The strongest storm to hit Ireland since 1961'..and Meath won't escape Ophelia's wrath
Ophelia is planning on leaving a lasting memory on Ireland when she lands early tomorrow morning and any hopes Meath might escape her wrath appears to dwindling rapidly if the latest announcements from Met Eireann and An Garda Siochana are anything to go by.
Met Eireann have updated the storm to Status Red: "Ex-Hurricane Ophelia is forecast to track directly over Ireland during daytime Monday. Violent and destructive gusts are forecast with all areas at risk and in particular the southwest and south in the morning, and eastern counties in the afternoon. Also heavy rain and storm surges along some coasts will result in flooding.
There is potential risk to lives."
This is the strongest storm to hit Ireland since 1961 and is capable of causing a lot of damage. Met Eireann have just advised that the track of the hurricane is uncertain and more counties could be issued with a Red Alert.
Please exercise caution tomorrow if you are out on the roads. Drive slowly, watch out for falling debris, branches, wires etc. It is advisable that motorcyclists and cyclists do not travel. Pedestrians should be extremely careful as severe gusts could catch you out. Drivers of high sided vehicles are particularly vulnerable in gusts.
Please have you mobile phone fully charged before you set out on a journey.
People are also being warned to STAY AWAY from coastal areas tomorrow, DO NOT go out to watch the storm.
If a Red Alert is issued later for Meath the advice is not to travel unless absolutely essential and to stay indoors.
Met Eireann have issued Red weather warnings for Counties Wexford, Waterford, Cork, Kerry Limerick, Clare, Galway and Mayo. In addition to these named counties, Dundalk Bay and Harbour may also be particularly impacted by tides (around 9pm). The remainder of the country has been issued with an Orange warning.
People living in areas where a Red level weather warning has been issued should not make any non-essential journeys. There should be no cycling in RED zones and avoid where necessary elsewhere.
Drivers of high sided vehicles and motorcyclists should also be aware of the extreme danger posed by gale force winds as they are particularly vulnerable.
People living in coastal areas are also being warned of the risk posed by flooding from storm surge and the Coast Guard is requesting members of the public to avoid any visits or walks to coastal or cliff areas.
It is envisaged that there will be significant damage caused by winds, especially in the nature of fallen trees and downed power wires. Please assume that any fallen wires are live and do not approach or touch the wires. Please report any fallen wires to the emergency services.
Please listen to local media/social media for updates on the progress of the storm and associated warnings and/or advice issued by the emergency services. Please heed this advice.
The warnings are in place from 09:00, Monday 16 October to 03:00, Tuesday 17 October 2017.