OPHELIA UPDATE: Drivers urged to take care on county's motorways

Drivers have been urged to use extreme caution especially along the country's national road and motorway network tomorrow. Meath is served by four major transport routes; the M1, N2, M3, and N4 and dangerouos crosswinds could cause havoc as ex-hurricane Ophelia cuts a path up through the country tomorrow morning.

THE RSA is advising that all pedestrians, motorcyclists and high-sided vehicles exercise extreme caution as very strong winds are forecast.

Meanwhile Bus Eireann have advised customers to check with its website and social media channels for updates on possible cancellations to services.

Parents, schools and school bus contractors operating on behalf of Bus Éireann have already been advised that school transport services will not operate tomorrow as a resut of the Dept of Education directive that all schools across the country close. Please seewww.buseireann.ie/redalert for further details. This applies to all school transport services including those for Special Needs students.

Bus Éireann also want to advise passengers of likely disruption to some scheduled road passenger services tomorrow.

"While it is our current intention to operate most scheduled  services there is a strong possibility that some of these may be cancelled – particularly in the southwest - in the event of a strong impact by Hurricane Ophelia. We regret that this may cause inconvenience but passenger and employee safety is our utmost priority - given the hurricane has been described as a ‘life threatening event’ - and advice from  several government agencies to take action to mitigate against this."

We advise customers to check www.buseireann.ie or Twitter/Facebook @buseireann for updates on any disruption to services.

Customers can also email customercare@buseireann.ie

STORM ADCVICE...

Drivers are warned watch out for fallen trees and flying debris and the possibility of spot flooding.

Stay away from coastal areas as high seas are forecast.

Cyclists are advised not to use their bicycles on Monday in counties subject to status red warning and avoid cycling where necessary elsewhere

Store patio furniture, rubbish bins and loose items outside which may be turned into missiles by the wind

Power outages are expected. If you have an outage ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1850372999. 

 

An Garda Siochana issued an updated advisory on Sunday at 21.15.

In light of the revised warning An Garda Síochána wish to renew their appeal to all motorists and members of the public to not make any non-essential journeys. There should be no cycling and 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 and waterways.

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.

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