On Monday, 16th October, Extratropical Storm Ophelia made landfall killing three people in different incidents. Ophelia was a post tropical storm. Met Éireann warned that the storm would be “a danger to life and property.” Ophelia is the latest hurricane in an unusual season. It’s the 10th Atlantic hurricane this season; the last time there were this many was in 1893. Plus, the last time a hurricane this powerful hit Ireland was 1961.
The Department of Educationa and Skills called for all schools to be closed on the Monday in anticipation of the severe storm and subsequently schools were also closed on the Tuesday to aid some schools who were severely hit. Many shops and businesses also closed down on Monday.
We got off very lightly in the Ballina and surrounding areas (thankfully) as Ophelia passed over us without leaving too much destruction in its wake but parts of the south of Ireland have been badly hit with many homes and businesses without water and electricity until early next week.
More windy and stormy weather is forcast for the coming weekend as Storm Brian heads our way. Lets hope its not as bad as Storm Ophelia!!!