As Ireland braces itself for the worst winds we have ever witnessed, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is expected to hold a press conference this morning as the seriousness of what we’re facing is becoming more apparent.
Galway based IFA leader, Joe Healy has added an extra warning to anyone who absolutely has to go out today.
Falling trees and the general mayhem caused by Hurricane Ophelia will breach ditches and fences and leave cattle with no barriers to straying onto roads around the country.
RTÉ’s southern correspondent, Paschal Sheehy has been reporting on fallen trees in Killarney and Tralee so far and power is out in large swathes of Co. Limerick.
Place Candles Safely
People are being advised to gather candles and charge mobile phones while the power lasts this morning.
Care in placing candles is advised as it is likely fire brigades will be stretched as Hurricane Ophelia hits us with her full force.
We are being reminded too that this is not the tail end of a hurricane or just strong winds. This is a full blown hurricane the likes of which we have not seen before.
Power Taken Out
And we’ve had some frightening days in recent years – but this will surpass anything which has gone before.
Trees have been flattened and power taken out by storms in recent times but this is a far more serious situation. And power is likely to be out for days as debris is cleared and repairs made to power lines.
Clearly, people will consider their own predicament as an emergency but it is unlikely to be considered so by the emergency services – considering that the army is being put on notice as we batten down the hatches.
Stay safe and stay indoors – is the all round, good advice for the day.
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