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15th October 2017
07:02pm BST
As the worst storm in 50 years approaches our shores the emergency plan has fully started to kick into top gear around the country. We've shared a full list of closures and steps being taken.
Although the storm has not hit land yet it has been whipping up the Atlantic Ocean as it approaches the West coast of Ireland.
Swell charts for Monday show massive waves off S Ireland/SW UK. Offshore 13m/42ft waves. Major coastal impacts where exposed to S'ly fetch. pic.twitter.com/23nigMHbC7
— Garry Nicholson (@WeatherEagle) October 14, 2017
#Ophelia expected to hit Ireland with 959mb
— MetRyanJ/Europe (@WinterExpert) October 15, 2017
Huge waves at south & east coast 10-12 meters ,surface gusts of 100mph
850mb chart /18z GFS pic.twitter.com/XRRIglrwRj
Waves of up to 50ft forecast off the south coast of Ireland on Monday. #Ophelia pic.twitter.com/xHWSvpuO4U
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) October 14, 2017
Update on Storm Ophelia issued at 6pm Sunday October 15th 15 October 2017
WIND: Gale-force winds are expected to begin across southern parts by early Monday morning and gradually spread northwards across the country during the day. Hurricane-force winds are expected to reach southern coastal counties by late Monday morning with storm force winds spreading inland and northwards across the country during Monday.
Preparations to protect lives and property should be taken today if possible.
Wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in our Warnings, and in some elevated locations could be even greater.
RAINFALL: Ophelia is expected to produce rainfall amounts up to 50mm in parts of the west with isolated totals above 50mm in elevated areas of the south and west. Across eastern Ireland, rainfall amounts will likely average less than 30mm.
STORM SURGE: A dangerous storm surge is expected to produce significant coastal flooding near and to the east of where the centre of the post-tropical cyclone makes landfall. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
