Hurricane Ophelia: Thousands lose power as storm hits Ireland

Thousands are without power in southern Ireland as the remnants of Hurricane Ophelia reach the British Isles.

The Met Office has warned of "potential danger to life", with winds off the south coast of Ireland reaching 109mph (176km/h) at Fastnet Rock.

In the Republic of Ireland, Met Eireann has issued a red wind warning and the government has deployed the army.

An amber warning for Northern Ireland, west Wales, south west Scotland and the Isle of Man is in force from midday.

The BBC's Ireland correspondent, Chris Page, said it would be the most severe storm to hit Ireland in half a century.

Ophelia is on its way from the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean and it comes 30 years after the UK's Great Storm of 1987.

Article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41627442
Live updates: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-41633276

I must admit, it's pretty surprising to see this. Naturally the UK is known for receiving the tail end of hurricanes countless times, but this one seems like a step up in intensity.

Do we have anyone in ROI/NI affected by this? Hopefully you're all safe!

It hasn't affected Northern Ireland yet

It hasn't affected Northern Ireland yet

Has anyone seen a red sun caused by all this as an example? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41635906. Here in London the light looks weirdly golden, but no red sun.

Yup hasn't hit the North, hopefully the holiday homes in Donegal aren't damaged too bad. Co.Down looks like it will hardly get anything so it's kinda just a boring day atleast no school so that's a plus I guess

Wind picking up now in the North! It's supposed to reach its peak later this evening! Hope everyone stay's safe- one death down south has already been reported

Wind picking up now in the North! It's supposed to reach its peak later this evening! Hope everyone stay's safe- one death down south has already been reported

It definitely is now! I hope so too it's awful what happened to that individual :'(

Yeah was very sad about that Woman and the Tree, hopefully that's all the fatalities that happen. Yeah think it will properly hit after 3 until 10 or so, Civil Contingency committee is meeting, it will also be announced this afternoon whether Schools and FE Colleges resume tomorrow - would say it is likely they should and hopefully we won't find out at half ten again. Let's hope we don't lose power like down south and no bins go flying

Yeah, the sky has gone a weird orange colour here in Brum

Directly not yet, indirectly certainly. Various regions of the UK are being affected in that sense.

Has anyone seen a red sun caused by all this as an example? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41635906. Here in London the light looks weirdly golden, but no red sun.

The sky is also a weird yellow/orange colour here in Oxford, I was wondering what that was all about!