Storm Ophelia has made landfall in Ireland and there have been some power outages and road closures reported.
Ophelia is the most powerful Atlantic storm this far east on record packing "violent, destructive" gusts of over 130 kilometres per hour.
Here's what it looked like at 11:45 this morning:
Ophelia's position as of 11:45 this morning! Somebody better take the washing in! pic.twitter.com/9RwgdY4XTY
— Beat 102 103 (@beat102103) October 16, 2017
Heavy rain, storm surges and flooding are likely in coastal areas - and the entire country has been placed on the highest state of alert.
People are urged to stay indoors and not to make unnecessary journeys.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is asking people to stay indoors and to check on their neighbours #Ophelia pic.twitter.com/U3nPx5boKf
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 16, 2017
Latest:
Roof has blown off Lidl Store at Clonmel https://t.co/9qEEcMPNRw
— Tipperary County Council (@TipperaryCoCo) October 16, 2017
#Ophelia. Waterford City/West pls avoid driving today unless an emergency due dire weather conditions pic.twitter.com/QQZFBzHxos
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) October 16, 2017
#WATERFORD The Waterford/Dunmore Rd (R684) has been closed at Belle Lake due to fallen trees. https://t.co/pdsEzJTRQr #Ophelia
— AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) October 16, 2017
#WATERFORD Fallen trees on the N25 Cork/Waterford Rd in Dungarvan between Shandon R/A and Strandside R/A. https://t.co/pdsEzJTRQr
— AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) October 16, 2017
R705 Road closed between New Ross and the Rower, large tree blocking Road
Please avoid this area#Ophelia— Kilkenny County Council (@KilkennyNotices) October 16, 2017
#CORK #M8 closed in both directions between J15 Fermoy South and J14 Fermoy North due to high winds. https://t.co/pdsEzJTRQr #Ophelia
— AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) October 16, 2017
#CORK Gardaí advise motorists to avoid the N25 Cork/Waterford Rd due to a number of fallen trees. https://t.co/pdsEzJTRQr
— AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) October 16, 2017
#Ophelia
Tree down and blocking road at Clonmel Road, 1ml outside Callan
Please avoid this area— Kilkenny County Council (@KilkennyNotices) October 16, 2017
Tree blocking road at Gowran race course please avoid this area #Ophelia
— Kilkenny County Council (@KilkennyNotices) October 16, 2017
The Promenade/Strand Rd in Tramore is closed until the weather alert has passed.
🚦Waterford City & County Council wishes to advise that Tramore Prom L4144 (Strand Road/ Prom) h... https://t.co/d6ok9Ocrd6
— Waterford City & County Council (@WaterfordCounci) October 16, 2017
V strong winds driving waves in Waterford estuary pic.twitter.com/We1GJCh272
— Damien Tiernan (@damienwlr) October 16, 2017
#Clonmel practically closed today a few shops open plenty parking #opheliaIreland #ophellia pic.twitter.com/6X4vpV8NKL
— Jonathan Ryan 🇺🇦 📷 🎙🚨 (@Tipperaryphotos) October 16, 2017
Gusting now in Schull 190km per hour!! pic.twitter.com/FKB2P2HIdi
— Fastnet Film Festival (@FastnetFilmFest) October 16, 2017
Meanwhile, they're starting to feel the effects in Cork:
A crane has blown down on the Little Island slip road from N25, one lane is bloked, care on approach. #Ophelia
— Alan Healy (@AlanHealy) October 16, 2017
Some of the damage caused by #Ophelia in Ballylangley, Bandon. Please be careful on the roads https://t.co/j2o4cDXqQt pic.twitter.com/6rUZoPOZI1
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) October 16, 2017
Weather kicking off here at cape clear bnb #ophelia #islandlife pic.twitter.com/0I3aY2xdG2
— @capeclearb&b (@capeclearbnb) October 16, 2017
Latest updates from some of the councils:
#Ophelia Wexford County Council Emergency contact centre number for reporting incidents and ... https://t.co/E3rAZ7k0qO
— Wexford County Council (@wexfordcoco) October 16, 2017
Weather / Service Update: 10:25am
All non-essential services are now being closed.https://t.co/l3zCLriAao #ophelia #waterford pic.twitter.com/mRsF0YOzQc— Waterford City & County Council (@WaterfordCounci) October 16, 2017
Local Co-ordination group - storm response - annoucements https://t.co/cNX04x4ThP
— Kilkenny County Council (@KilkennyNotices) October 16, 2017
Update- Storm Ophelia https://t.co/As7GANZ4uS
— Tipperary County Council (@TipperaryCoCo) October 16, 2017
STORM #OPHELIA – Carlow Co Council Update at 8.45pm on 15th October 2017. https://t.co/FqLJTAcR9U pic.twitter.com/5pN2NmaybN
— CarlowCountyCouncil (@Carlow_Co_Co) October 15, 2017
Hurricane Ophelia –Rough Sleepers Informationhttps://t.co/UyVwOkJeui#Ophelia
— Kilkenny County Council (@KilkennyNotices) October 16, 2017
Power outages
Power outages have begun to hit the south and west.
According to the ESB's power check website approximately 2,000 people are without supply.
For info on your area see https://t.co/jCkScrUI3J Emergency & dangerous situations on ESB Networks on 1850 372 999/+353 21 2382410 #staysafe
— ESB Networks (@ESBNetworks) October 16, 2017
The ESB's Bernadine Moloney had some advice for anyone who thinks they have lost power.
She said: "If they see their outage on powercheck, there is no need to call, if it isn't there, they should ring us on 1850 372 999.
"Or also, they can also go onto ESB Networks and report the outage online."
