Worst of the storm to hit Mullingar at lunchtime

"Prepare for the worst" was the advice from Cathal Nolan of Midland Weather Channel who said Hurricane Ophelia will start to reach its intensity over Westmeath, Offaly and Longford from midday onwards.

"The worst of the winds will hit Mullingar around 1.30pm or 2pm, and it will remain that way until 8pm," he told the Westmeath Examiner.

"I would advise people, if they are in work, to leave now as soon as they can. If they leave at normal office hours, 4-5pm, they will be driving home during the peak of the storm."

Hurricane Ophelia is "unprecedented" in history of Irish weather according to Cathal, who said the midlands will see gusts of 160kph, which is unheard of.

"The last time we had a hurricane in Ireland was 1961 and most of us are not around long enough to remember that.

"Gusts of 160kph will see trees felled, there's plenty of foliage on them and there has been plenty of precipitation the last few days, so the ground is soft. This represents the biggest threat to life. 

"Then there's bins, slates off rooves. My advice is to stay indoors. This is a potentially, sorry not potentially, this IS a life threatening storm."