Hurricane Ophelia is fast approaching, and it has the makings of the worst storm to hit Ireland in decades.
Met Éireann has issued a Red alert for eight different counties: Cork, Kerry, Clare, Limerick, Galway, Mayo, Wexford and Waterford.
The National Emergency Coordination Group on Hurricane Ophelia has followed up on this by publishing a full list of “Key Public Safety & Information Messages.”
The storm is expected to pass between early Monday morning and early Tuesday morning. Throughout that time, the public has been advised against making, you guessed it, any unnecessary journeys. People in Red level warning areas (the eight counties listed above) should be especially careful.
The public has been advised to stay away from all coastal areas as the storm is predicted to cause high seas. Similarly, the storm will make driving far more hazardous, with “particular risk” posed by fallen trees and flying debris.
Those who must travel tomorrow are advised to do so by some means other than a bike. The warning specifically states that tomorrow should be a “no bike day.”
#Statement of the National Emergency Coordination Group on #Ophelia
Advises no #Travel in Red Level warning areas
Very strong winds and so, electricity outages likely.
Hazardous driving conditions: no bike advisory. pic.twitter.com/WofHe9uUR0
— Ciara Plunkett (@PlunkettCiara) October 15, 2017
As we previously reported, Bus Éireann’s School Transport Services are suspended for Monday (schools will not be opening in Red level warning areas anyway).
ESB anticipates some level of electrical outages and the public has been warned against steering clear of any fallen cables that have been damaged by the storm.
Lastly, the warning includes a request that anyone who can should make sure to check in on vulnerable or isolated neighbours over the course of the storm.
