It comes 30 years after the UK’s Great Storm of 1987. storm had reached the southern part of Ireland, with trees down and 15,000 people without power. People were advised to stay indoors until the storm had passed. Flying debris, large waves in coastal areas and disruption to all travel services are expected. Warning was issued too for parts of Scotland, the west and north of England and Wales. Most ferries, trains, buses and flights across the island have been cancelled.
Ryanair, Aer Lingus, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Air France, CityJet, Emirates and KLM have all cancelled some flights due to the severe weather. All schools in Ireland were closed where “violent and destructive gusts” are forecast. Northern Ireland’s chief justice has advised the judiciary that all courts should finish by 12:30 BST. Ophelia set the record for the most easterly category three hurricane in the Atlantic with wind speeds of between 111mph (179km/h) and 129mph (208km/h) which and can cause major damage to well-built homes.
