Highest Red Weather Warning Issued And Emergency Co-Ordination Group Meet As Hurricane Ophelia Approaches

Five counties already have A status red weather warning for Monday and there are predictions that Hurricane Ophelia could be the biggest storm to hit Ireland since 1961.

What we know so far...

• Emergency co-ordination group will meet tomorrow to plan Ireland's response
• Bus Éireann have canceled school buses in Cork, Kerry, Clare, Mayo and Galway
• Met Eireann have said they expect “Mean wind speeds in excess of 80 km/h and gusts in excess of 130km/h are expected, potentially causing structural damage and disruption, with dangerous marine conditions due to high seas and potential flooding,”

Words like "historic event" and "monster storm" are not what you want to be hearing from the weather channel...

Historic Event unfolding in the Atlantic, Hurricane Ophelia category 3 headed to Ireland as monster storm. Be ready.https://t.co/raGSAJRGVM pic.twitter.com/JQQEz5KpNa

— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) October 14, 2017

It is the most powerful hurricane in this area of the Atlantic...

Ophelia is now a major hurricane, the first in recorded history in this part of the Atlantic Ocean & the strongest ever to threaten Ireland. https://t.co/Z84rSHIgMg

— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) October 14, 2017

It is a very unexpected event...

It's not every day WPC has a conference call with the @metoffice & @MetEireann for #Ophelia! Visit @NHC_Atlantic for official track/info! pic.twitter.com/bEG2bNr3It

— NWS WPC (@NWSWPC) October 14, 2017

High tide on Monday morning as the storm hits is a worry...

#Ophelia is a MAJOR hurricane, will weaken, but a STRONG storm to impact IRE/GBR. Direct hit concerns for IRE. High wind/waves/storm surge VERY concerning for Irish Sea/North Channel. High tide 9 AM Monday problematic. #StormHour pic.twitter.com/dUZ1NLZvnT

— Mike Haggett (@WesternMEwx) October 14, 2017

We explained the warm weather in advance of the hurricane...

Time for Irish people to get prepared...

#Ophelia looks like she will pack quite a punch on Monday. Will be following the advice of @MetEireann and @JoannaDonnellyL closely... pic.twitter.com/bTuWpPs4AW

— Jonathan Healy (@jonathanhealy) October 14, 2017

Latest info on #Ophelia here:https://t.co/pacjMXex1S
Graphic below from the National Hurricane Centre in the U.S.https://t.co/zQGCe7lRD9 pic.twitter.com/dXa8BechQr

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 14, 2017