The Department of Education has warned schools in red alert areas to remain closed on Monday. They believe it is the best move to make for the sake of the student’s safety.
Storm Ophelia is set to hit Ireland in the early hours of Monday morning, bringing heavy rain and fierce winds with it.
Experts stated that it has the potential to be the worst storm to hit the country in over five decades.
They have urged parents to keep their children at home if they reside in a red alert area.
The counties that currently have a red alert weather warning are Cork, Mayo, Galway, Wexford, Clare, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford.
The National Emergency Coordination Group on Severe Weather statement issued after this morning's meeting - https://t.co/KvTsMM0pFg pic.twitter.com/doJ8siRoG4
— OEP (@emergencyIE) October 15, 2017
The rest of the country has been issued an orange weather warning, but people have been warned to remain cautious.
The Department of Education asks schools in orange alert areas to be wary and to keep up to date with Met Eireann’s announcements.
This comes after Bus Eireann announced that they have cancelled school bus services in red alert counties for Monday, October 16.
The bus company said that they have had to shut down their service to make sure that children are not put in any danger on the roads during the storm.
The National Co-Ordination Emergency Group have advised people to remain inside all day tomorrow, especially those living in red alert counties.
Head of the committee Sean Hogan stated that the storm is very serious, “We are facing an extreme weather event in the country tomorrow. Everybody in the country needs to take heed of what is coming.”
Use today to check in on vulnerable or elderly neighbours & ensure they are aware & prepared for severe weather and check again afterwards.
— OEP (@emergencyIE) October 15, 2017
Met Eireann believes Storm Ophelia will hit Irish shores at 6 am on Monday morning. They are expecting it to downgrade to a post-tropical storm by the time it reaches Ireland.
They said red alert areas will experience, “mean wind speeds in excess of 80km/h and gusts in excess of 130km/h are expected, potentially causing structural damage and disruption, with dangerous marine conditions due to high sea and potential flooding.”
Counties with an orange alert are not expected to have such severe conditions, the latest report stated, “Mean wind speeds in excess of 65km/h to 80km/h with gusts between 110km/h and 130km/h to be expected. The winds have potential to cause structural damage and disruption, with the potential risk of flooding. Wind values are likely to be in the high end of the orange scale.”
People have been urged to check for updates on Storm Ophelia on Met.ie. You can check for new information here.
