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OPHELIA VIDEO AND UPDATES:  #ophelia

October 16th, 2017 10:45 AM

By Southern Star Team

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Get the latest updates on Hurricane Ophelia hitting West Cork.

As Ophelia closes in on the south coast, the gusts of wind are increasing around West Cork and most of the streets are deserted. Schools are closed, there are no postal deliveries and all non-essential medical appointments have been cancelled. Many shops and businesses have closed for the day and public offices are also closed today. 

There have also been reports of many trees down and power outages around the county, including most recently at Caheragh, Glengarriff, Macroom and Clonakilty. To report a fault, or to see other local outages, check powercheck.ie.

Keep in touch with the latest updates on Ophelia by checking in at southernstar.ie and on our Facebook and Twitter pages throughout the day. We have reporters around the county keeping you up-to-date on the latest on the biggest storm to hit the south west for decades.

Update 18/10/2017

Update from Cork County Council: Areas west of Skibbereen still without water. Hope to get Ballydehob back up today but meanwhile a tanker is on the way.

Caheragh NS, Castletownshend NS and Leap school all closed today. Follow social media for updates. 

Skibbereen Charity Adventure Race has been cancelled due to damage to the course. 

Road R-619-0 is now passable. Townlands on this road include Farnanes, Knockshanawee, Ryecourt.

Update 17/10/2017 12.38pm

ESB crews working overtime to restore power supplies across West Cork - Read report here

Bus Eireann Route 233: Macroom to Cork via Coachford no Service due to fallen trees

DUNMANWAY/ENNISKEANE AREA: Road R-586-188 now passable - Townlands include Manch West, Manch Middle, Manch East, Dromidiclogh West

Flying Trampoline in West Cork:

Update 17/10/2017 9.44am

Gardaí and Local Authority are going to close the R605 from Innishannon as far as Dunderrow. There are multiple trees and power lines down.

ESB crews working to restore power to Innishannon.

Update on the repair works: https://www.corkcoco.ie/news/recovery-workscontinue-wake-storm-ophelia

Update 17/10/2017 9.34am

Clean up operation begins across the county - Read report here

Update 7.58pm

Reports of power lines down on the way to Kilcrohane near Doonoer. Do not approach live wires.

Power still down in many areas, including Bere Island and Glandore.

A gust of 190kph was recorded at Fastnet today - highest on record.

Update 7.49pm

Very near miss in Glencurragh

Reports of massive damage to trees around Loch Hyne.

R-585-55 near Bandon is now passable which includes the townlands of Derrycool and Carhoon West.

All RehabCare and National Learning Network centres to remain closed tomorrow (Tuesday, October 17th)

All Cork County Council offices, libraries etc. will be open for business as usual tomorrow.

Trees down by St Brogan's College Bandon; Coppeen; Wood Road btw Gaggin & Desert; Drumkeen (Innish to Bandon back road)

Update 4.27pm

R-594-52 near Drinagh is impassable due to fallen tree, nearest townlands include Derreeny, Madore.

Reports of a yacht on the rocks in Schull near coast guard station which had part of roof ripped off.


Photo: Julie Carr

Update 3.48pm

Dramatic scenes in Tragumna:

Clonakilty: Western road and bypass are blocked with trees. Power lines are down on road to Inchydoney.

Tree down - L3206 between Rising Sun pub & Riverstick Ballinhassig.

It has just been confimred that all schools will be closed tomorrow.

Update 3.29pm

Trees down on Hillside, back road between Bandon & Kilbrittain; Between Farnanes & Coachford; Derrinasafa Road Dunmanway.

Update 3.11pm

Message from Southern Region, Major Emergency Management:

Many parts of Cork and Kerry are currently experiencing calmer conditions. Stronger gusts of wind are expected to return later this
afternoon.

People are advised to remain indoors and not to use the roads.

There are multiple hazards including fallen/partially fallen trees and poles, power lines, roofing and other materials which may be highly
dangerous.

Update 3.09pm

Major Ophelia damage in Kinsale

Update 3.07pm

Update 2.59pm

Two trees down in between Allen Square and Laurel Walk in Bandon. Telephone line down too.

The road in Skibbereen known as The Cutting has been closed because of the danger presented by falling debris.

Pedestrians in Skibbereen are being advised to take care after numerous slates fell onto Bridge Street. 

No ferries running to Bere Island & wind still strong - residents have no idea when power will be restored.

Update 2.51pm

Gardaí warning that roads are not safe due to fallen trees, reports of a tree down on N71 between Rosscabery and Leap.

R-613-19 is impassable due to Fallen Tree. Townlands include  Carrigaline West, Carrigaline Middle, Carrigaline East.

Slates blown off roofs in Skibbereen - proceed with caution.


Photos: The Southern Star

Update 2.45pm

Reports of slates falling on South Main St Bandon. Drivers and pedestrians are being advised not to go outside.

No flights will depart Cork Airport for the remainder of today and the public is being told not to go to the airport. 

The Carrigrohane Straight road is closed to all traffic due to multiple trees down.

Gardaí are requesting people to stay away from waterways, cliff walks etc. Gardaí say people are not heeding the warnings given.

Update 2.39pm

Bus Éireann will continue suspension of all services for the remainder of the day (October 16th), in line with advice to the public not to travel.
It is planned that a full schedule of services will resume from tomorrow morning (October 17th) at 5am.
This includes all Bus Éireann services, the Expressway network, School Transport Scheme, Eurolines and GoBE services. Some School Transport Scheme services – which travel on minor roads – could be curtailed tomorrow morning or diverted due to flooding or fallen trees.

Update 2.34pm

Pictures from the scene on the N22 between Macroom and Cork. 

Update 2.28pm

Bandon: Tree down between Ash Tree and Finbarr Galvin's, road closed.

Macroom Road Closed.

Clonakilty Road reopened

Update 2.21pm:

Dunmanway - Castledonovan road reopened.

Update 2.15pm

The scene in Rathbarry:


Photo: Alison Glennie

Update 2.12pm

R-586-55 is impassable due to fallen tree. Townlands on this road include Derrycool, Carhoon West, Carhoon East

N22 Cork side of Macroom blocked by fallen tree

Tree down - soccer club Bandon - Rossmore Clon - Ballinadee Rd Bandon

Update 2.10pm

The scene in Guagane Barra:

Video: @JaneandAli on Twitter

Update 2.05pm

The Bandon to Dunmanway Road R586 is impassable east of Manch Bridge due to fallen trees.

Update 2.01pm

A number of trees down on the backroads to Kilmurry.

10 trees down on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven Rd coast guard are trying to clear them.

Due to power outages effecting Council offices phone lines across County please contact 021 4800048 to report any incidences.

Update 1:49pm

Tree down by Ballinspittle National School. Caution advised.

Update 1:45pm

Reports of more fallen trees in Bantry. 


Photo: Robbie O'Donovan

Update 1:39pm:

Bandon to Dunmanway road R586 impassable east of Manch Bridge due to numerous fallen trees.

ESB Networks says 120,000 customers without power - Read full story here.

Road earlier blocked near Bantry House is now open again - but take care as many more trees down in Bantry area.

Reports of power being returned to Bantry. 

Reports of tree down between Riverstick and Belgooly. Gardaí on the scene.

Road R-596-53 is impassable due to Fallen Tree. Townlands on this road are: Castletownsend, Gurranes, Killangal, Raheen.

Road R-613-51 is impassable due to Fallen Tree. Townlands on this road include  Ballinrea South, Knockmore, Ballea.

Main Dunmanway to Ballineen road blocked at Carbery Milk Products.

Clonakilty to Ballineen road extremely hazardous. Trees ready to fall. Take care if driving.

The power is out and there are trees down at Colla Road in Schull. Reports in that tropical storm Ophelia has ripped the roof off the Coast Guard Station in Schull.

Road issue (Fallen Tree) on N-71-495 now resolved and passable. Townlands include Ardyhoolihane, Dunbittern East, Beach.

Update 1:33pm: 

Strong winds in Tragumna. 


Video: Reddy Denis O'Regan

Update 12:58pm:

Due to the "RED" weather warning issued by Met Eireann to the country as a result of storm Ophelia, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) has cancelled all blood and platelet collection clinics for Monday 16th October. Clinics will return to normal on Tuesday 17th October. Please see www.giveblood.ie for details of clinics for the rest of the week.

Update 12:52pm:

Reports coming in of fallen trees in Glandore village, blocking access. The roof of a shed has blown across the the road by the turn off for Drombeg Stone Circle. 

The road from Cononagh to Reenascreena is blocked by a fallen tree.

Update 12:45pm:

Facebook have implemented Crisis Reponse for Ophelia. Click "I'm Safe" here to let your friends and family know you're out of harm's way. 

Update 12:05pm:

Tree down on main Bantry to Drimoleague road near Bantry House estate.


Photo: Robbie O'Donovan

Update 12:04pm:

Tree down blocking road on Belgooly to Ballyfeard R611 just after Oatlands Cross.

Tree down in the R599 main Clonakilty to Ballygurteen road

R-600-20 is impassable due to Fallen Tree. Townlands on this road are:
Ballinoroher, Lackanalooha, Ballymacowen

Macroom Rd in Bandon is blocked at St. Brogan's School due to a fallen tree.

Trees down on N71 between Leap and Skibbereen. Up to a dozen trees
down. Road is completely blocked.

Tree down in Ballycommane, Durrus. Road blocked.

Update 11:26am:

Quite a number of power outages in West Cork now due to the storm - including Mizen Head, Goleen, Skibbereen, Caheragh, Glengarriff, Clonakilty and Macroom areas. Check at powercheck.ie where you can also report outages.

Baltimore

Update 11:42am: Photos of storm damage in Baltimore. 


Photo: Emma Jervis


Photo: Emma Jervis


Photo: Emma Jervis


Photo: Emma Jervis


Photo: Emma Jervis

Bandon

Update 2.05pm: The Bandon to Dunmanway Road R586 is impassable east of Manch Bridge due to fallen trees.

Update 12:04pm: Macroom Rd in Bandon is blocked at St. Brogan's School due to a fallen tree.

Tree down on the Dunmanway Road in Bandon near the Hammies and road is blocked.

Bantry

Update 1:45pm: Reports of more fallen trees in Bantry.


Photo: Robbie O'Donovan

Update 1:39pm: Road earlier blocked near Bantry House is now open again - but take care as many more trees down in Bantry area.

Reports of power being returned to Bantry. 

Update 12:39pm: N-71-495 is impassable due to Fallen Tree. Townlands include
Ardyhoolihane, Dunbittern East, Cappanaloha East.

Update 12:05pm: Tree down in Ballycommane, Durrus. Road blocked. 


Photo: Robbie O'Donovan

Tree down on main Bantry to Drimoleague road near Bantry House estate.


Photo: Robbie O'Donovan

Update 11:32am: N71 Bantry/Ballydehob is blocked by a fallen tree at Sparrograda.


A deserted Bantry this morning. Photo: Sean Mahon.


Photo: Sean Mahon

Belgooly

Tree down blocking road on Belgooly to Ballyfeard R611 just after Oatlands Cross.

Clonakilty

Update 2:15pm:

The scene in Rathbarry:


Photo: Alison Glennie

Update 12:04pm: Tree down in the R599 main Clonakilty to Ballygurteen road

Update 11:32am: Western Road blocked due to two trees down.

Tree down on N71 by the hospital in Clonakilty diversions in place.

Dunmanway

Update 2.05pm: The Bandon to Dunmanway Road R586 is impassable east of Manch Bridge due to fallen trees.

Road from Castle street to Droumleena blocked following fallen tree ESB wires down too.

Drimoleague

Update 12:08am:

Fallen trees being cleared on Bantry - Drimoleague road.

Video: The Southern Star
 

Update 11.51am: Fallen tree


Photo: Sean Mahon

Innishannon

Update 11:32am:  Two trees down at Ballymountain.

Tree down on the Innishannon to Dunderrow road at Schipool. The road is blocked.

Kinsale

Update 11.55am:

Photo credit: David Harte

Update 11:32am: Reports of flying debris from Lidl supermarket.

Tree down in Summercove and telegraph pole down in Ardbrack. Road blocked at both locations.

Macroom

Update 2.34pm:

Pictures from the scene on the N22 between Macroom and Cork. 

Update 2.12pm: N22 Cork side of Macroom blocked by fallen tree

Update 2.01pm: A number of trees down on the backroads to Kilmurry.

Update 11.30am: Reports of power loss in Macroom and Ballyvourney areas.

The Main Street in Macroom, Co. Cork at 9am on Monday morning, the gateway to West Cork and Kerry, which is normally teaming with school children heading to school, workers heading to work and bumper to bumper traffic, is deserted as storm Ophelia rages through the island of Ireland.

Some businesses closed for the day while others are opting to open after the eye of the storm passes. Businesses that opened are assessing their trading hourly as it is expected a possible power outage at some stage.
Pictures: John Delea.

Schull

The power is out and there are trees down at Colla Road in Schull. Reports in that tropical storm Ophelia has ripped the roof off the Coast Guard Station in Schull.

Skibbereen

Update 2.05pm:

Update 1:33pm: Strong winds in Tragumna. 


Video: Reddy Denis O'Regan

Update 12:32pm: There are a lot of branches all over the road from Skibbereen to Baltimore, but the most significant danger is at Creagh. One lane of traffic is completely blocked by a fallen tree. But there is also a more significant threat from another larger listing tree that could yet entirely block the road at Creagh.


Photo: The Southern Star

Update 12:04pm: Trees down on N71 between Leap and Skibbereen. Up to a dozen trees down. Road is completely blocked.

Wheelie bins were blowing around Townshend Street in Skibbereen like tumbleweed this morning. The obstructions have since been removed, but people are asked to literally batten down the hatches on anything that could become a missile in high winds.


Photo: Jackie Keogh

Video credit: Reddy Denis O'Regan

 

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