Laois County Council and An Garda Siochana met this morning and are advising businesses to close up for the day and send their workers hom with winds of over 80km/hr anticipated from 11am until early on Tuesday.
Ex-Hurricane Ophelia is to hit Ireland this morning and is predicted to be the most severe weather storm to be experienced by the country since 1961. A Status Red warning has been issued for the entire country and authorities have warned people to stay at home.
“We would advise all businesses to close their businesses and send their workers home,” said a statement issued by Director of Services Kieran Kehoe.
“No unnecessary travel should be taken. All our Emergency Services are on standby.
“Our Severe Weather Coordination centre is operational from this morning. The emergency number is 999 and it has a dedicated local number of 1890837273.”
Every school in the country is closed and public transport has been severely disrupted for the day throughout the land. An Post, the court services, hospital appointments and driving tests are among the other cancellations.
SEE ALSO – Live Blog as Hurricane Ophelia set to hit Laois
