So this Hurricane

xper · 17-10-2017 09:26AM

BillyBobBS wrote: »

Have to say im pretty surprised on the ride to work this morning in Dublin didn't see a single tree down and not that many branches etc...

Someone's pedal stool ended up in my back garden

coolisin · 17-10-2017 09:34AM

I really feel for the families of those lost.
I genuinely believe it would have being worse had the red warning not being extended on Sunday.

Had a really bad drive from Kilkenny from Naas in some of the toughest driving conditions I have experienced, at 11am.
The driving rain on the window, making it difficult to see and bits of trees flying at you.

All because I was made come into work.

I was lucky I had a few close calls with trees falling near me twice.

I was never as glad to drive up my drive way and park up. I'd no phone/internet mobile or otherwise pretty much until this morning.

fryup · 17-10-2017 09:37AM

coolisin wrote: »

All because I was made come into work.

should have told them to get stuffed!

mad muffin · 17-10-2017 09:39AM

I’m thinking of commissioning a commemorative t shirt. Something like…

I survived hurricane Ophelia and all I got was this tree branch stuck in my head.

Mod: Banned

LynnGrace · 17-10-2017 09:42AM

Thinking of those who lost their lives yesterday, and of their families and friends.

I was very grateful not to have to go outside the door yesterday. I am so glad that there was a red alert and schools closed etc. Things could have been so much worse had that not been the case.

I cannot say enough about all of those who were out in the thick of it yesterday making things safe for the rest of us. I know that they will be out for days to come too restoring power, cleaning up and so on.

Wishing them all the best and am very grateful to them for their work.

RocketRaccoon · 17-10-2017 09:44AM

mad muffin wrote: »

I’m thinking of commissioning a commemorative t shirt. Something like…

I survived hurricane Ophelia and all I got was this tree branch stuck in my head.

What an arsehole comment to make when just a few posts above yours someone said that an active member on here lost a family member yesterday.

mad muffin · 17-10-2017 09:53AM

RocketRaccoon wrote: »

What an arsehole comment to make when just a few posts above yours someone said that an active member on here lost a family member yesterday.

Soooo…

You’re not getting one? :pac:

Ooh just read storm Brian is apparently on its way for Friday :eek:

Lollipops23 · 17-10-2017 09:59AM

Thankfully we just have a small mess in the garden, few branches etc. Car was covered in silty dirt this morning.

Counting ourselves extremely lucky.

BillyBobBS · 17-10-2017 10:07AM

mad muffin wrote: »

I’m thinking of commissioning a commemorative t shirt. Something like…

I survived hurricane Ophelia and all I got was this tree branch stuck in my head.

Not really funny.

Drumpot · 17-10-2017 10:16AM

For people whinging about the national red warning, can they at least provide an explanation on how they would of managed things differently ? How they knew this would turn out the way it did considering this type of storm has never hit us before? Despite a national red alert warning, 3 people died, how would you of made sure these 3 didn't die ?

You need to give people 12-24 hours to prepare for such a ferocious event. This event was unprecedented so there were elements of the storm that increased the chances of the meteorological models not predicting how bad the storm would be or where exactly it would hit.

The storm was bigger then the country so any shift a couple of miles one way was going to have massive implications. This was a matter of life or death. A national red warning was given for people to stay inside and yet 3 people still died. They all died outside in the storm. One of the people killed was just a few miles up the road from me. We didn't get it bad at all (Bettystown), yet a person died just up the road. I cant imagine how bad it could of been had there not been a red warning here because "sure its not going to be as bad in that area".

This had the potential to be a national event which would of stretched every service (emergency and utility) in a way we have never experienced. The less people warned who got hit, the more it stretches resources, causes accidents and deaths. Try to consider the compounded issues caused by not taking action or warning people.

When you don't heed the warnings of people who know more then you (emergency services, met eireann etc), you are being selfish and foolish. You are increasing the chances of being in an accident, which stretches resources and puts the lives of others in danger. A person could die because they were not given the treatment that had to be given to you. This storm was not all about "you", it was about the direct and indirect issues that arise from warning and not warning. Choosing the approach to issue a nationwide alert saved lives, not choosing to do so would of at the very least not reduced the loss the life.

retro:electro · 17-10-2017 10:24AM

My sister told me that the road she drives on every day to collect the kids from crèche had a tree fall and obstruct the road.
Thankfully she wasn't on it because she kept them home yesterday due to not having to work.
I know we tend to personalise these things but the thought that her or anyone could have been hit by that yesterday makes me feel sick. Lots of lives were spared due to the red alert.

shaunr68 · 17-10-2017 10:27AM

fryup wrote: »

clean up time, today

a few loose branches on the front lawn...but a big massive tree down on the back lawn

have to fork out for the tree surgeon, ah well no one was injured

A few large branches down here including a proper widowmaker that I don't really fancy tackling, might ask one of the local farmers to drag it clear with a tractor rather than risking taking a chainsaw to it. Careful out there today folks, there is a real danger that the death toll could rise today considering the number of people out cutting shattered branches and felling damaged trees.

JP Liz V1 · 17-10-2017 10:32AM

Why was idiots swimming during the storm, putting their lives and rescuers lives in danger

RIP to the 3 who lost their lives, god help their friends and families

blanch152 · 17-10-2017 10:37AM

Wanderer78 wrote: »

I was out in the storm yesterday, during or near it's worst, this was planned. I have an interest in weather, in particular extreme weather. I had provisions with me encase I got stranded including sleeping bag etc. I've been in extremely dangerous situations in the past, possibly including yesterday, this will not stop me from doing it again. I did however see extremely dangerous risk taking yesterday, the most concerning being, a father and two young kids being outside, watching the big waves at or near storm height, I was inside my car at this stage. Having your kids outdoors during storm height is one thing, but actually having them outside is whole level of stupidity! I was astonished. I can understand people's fascination with these kind of natural phenomenon, but please, don't risk your kids lives!

While I respect your views, I can't help think of the kitesurfers mentioned in this article:

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/hurricane-ophelia/comment-reckless-should-pay-for-their-rescue-after-needlessly-putting-lives-of-emergency-services-in-jeopardy-36234713.html

"In a further twist, kite surfers in Dundalk threatened to make complaints about emergency service personnel stopping them going to sea."

I am sure that those kitesurfers, like yourself, also believed that they weren't taking a risk. Unfortunately, if you, or them, had run into trouble, the emergency services would have had to put their lives at risk, all because you have an interest in weather. Was it really worth it?

Rothko · 17-10-2017 11:21AM

Seems like the experts on Boards were wrong and the meteorologists were right. Imagine that.

ghostdancer · 17-10-2017 11:26AM

blanch152 wrote: »

While I respect your views, I can't help think of the kitesurfers mentioned in this article:

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/hurricane-ophelia/comment-reckless-should-pay-for-their-rescue-after-needlessly-putting-lives-of-emergency-services-in-jeopardy-36234713.html

"In a further twist, kite surfers in Dundalk threatened to make complaints about emergency service personnel stopping them going to sea."

I am sure that those kitesurfers, like yourself, also believed that they weren't taking a risk. Unfortunately, if you, or them, had run into trouble, the emergency services would have had to put their lives at risk, all because you have an interest in weather. Was it really worth it?

weren't the kite-surfers out in Dundalk early in the day? it was nothing more than a mildly windy day up until lunchtime in the east around Dublin/Louth. there were plenty of people out for a run or walking their dogs when I was on my way home around midday.

if they had been out in Lahinch or Dingle during that time, then fair enough, but Dundalk was hardly getting a battering early yesterday.

McMurphy · 17-10-2017 11:28AM

ghostdancer wrote: »

weren't the kite-surfers out in Dundalk early in the day? it was nothing more than a mildly windy day up until lunchtime in the east around Dublin/Louth. there were plenty of people out for a run or walking their dogs when I was on my way home around midday.

if they had been out in Lahinch or Dingle during that time, then fair enough, but Dundalk was hardly getting a battering early yesterday.

Conditions at sea can change. And change quickly.

Hurricane on the way? Best staying on dry land.

Safest option.

siblers · 17-10-2017 11:30AM

ghostdancer wrote: »

weren't the kite-surfers out in Dundalk early in the day? it was nothing more than a mildly windy day up until lunchtime in the east around Dublin/Louth. there were plenty of people out for a run or walking their dogs when I was on my way home around midday.

if they had been out in Lahinch or Dingle during that time, then fair enough, but Dundalk was hardly getting a battering early yesterday.

But it was due to hit at some stage, there is always a calm before a storm and there was every chance it could have started when they were out in the Ocean. Why risk it? They knew a storm was coming, just because it was calm when they went out, didn't mean it wouldn't be stormy a few minutes later

ghostdancer · 17-10-2017 11:36AM

Rick Shaw wrote: »

Conditions at sea can change. And change quickly.

Hurricane on the way? Best staying on dry land.

Safest option.

sure, it's the safest option, but at that time of day it was hardly hazardous conditions, and there was little chance of things becoming dangerous anytime soon, no more than any other breezey day.

the way people are going on you'd think they were out in the middle of the storm kite-surfing. it was a perfectly pleasant morning around Dublin/Louth and I'm sure they were aware of the weather for later and planned to be in later.

people out swimming in Salthill in the middle of the storm is a completely different scenario.

pjohnson · 17-10-2017 11:40AM

I'd agree with the kitesurfers they shouldnt have been stopped. The emergency services shouldnt be wasting time on stupidity. If the kite surfers know best then good luck to them and though shit if they turn out to be wrong.

The emergency services should focus on serious issues.

MadYaker · 17-10-2017 11:43AM

Galway is relatively unscathed. Doesn't stop the Irish Times from posting nonsense on Facebook saying "Coastal defences in Salthill were completely breached" along with a video of some waves lapping up over the prom at high tide :rolleyes: there aren't even any coastal defences in Salthill ffs. It seems Cork got the worst of it. Storm Darwin in 2014 did more damage nationwide and had fatalities too so why was this one classed as a hurricane and given a natiowide red weather warning? The statistics of both storms seem fairly similar yet this was made out to be a much bigger deal. Schools being closed again today seems a bit much.

whisky_galore · 17-10-2017 11:55AM

To those defending irresponsible actions, how are the emergency services supposed to differentiate between someone who 'knows what they're doing' or someone that doesn't?
What if they're mentally ill?

They're so fcuking arrogant, think they know it all out on a rough sea, things can go tits up in a matter of seconds out there.

That old boy in Galway could have had his head opened up on a hard surface and there would be another added to the list of fatalities. What was so important about not missing his daily swim for just one day? Was he going to get a medal or something?

MadYaker · 17-10-2017 12:02PM

The old guy swimming in Galway was being wreckless. But the kite surfers in Dalkey are getting unfair abuse imo. They didn't call the rescue services because they were never in difficulty. Someone saw them out in the sea and assumed they were in danger and called the emergency services. Although the onlooker was obviously well intentioned they probably shouldn't have made the call, this was earlier in the day before the storm was at it's worst in Dublin and those would be fairly standard conditions for kite surfing and wind surfing.

begbysback · 17-10-2017 12:05PM

blanch152 wrote: »

While I respect your views, I can't help think of the kitesurfers mentioned in this article:

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/hurricane-ophelia/comment-reckless-should-pay-for-their-rescue-after-needlessly-putting-lives-of-emergency-services-in-jeopardy-36234713.html

"In a further twist, kite surfers in Dundalk threatened to make complaints about emergency service personnel stopping them going to sea."

I am sure that those kitesurfers, like yourself, also believed that they weren't taking a risk. Unfortunately, if you, or them, had run into trouble, the emergency services would have had to put their lives at risk, all because you have an interest in weather. Was it really worth it?

Tbf I don't believe kite surfers, and the like, by their very nature are the type who see a reason to run behind the sofa when gale force winds appear - the point I believe they are making is that they should not be prevented, and one would have to agree - otherwise nobody climbs Everest or swims the channel.

Lt Dan · 17-10-2017 12:05PM

Drumpot wrote: »

For people whinging about the national red warning, can they at least provide an explanation on how they would of managed things differently ? How they knew this would turn out the way it did considering this type of storm has never hit us before? Despite a national red alert warning, 3 people died, how would you of made sure these 3 didn't die ?

You need to give people 12-24 hours to prepare for such a ferocious event. This event was unprecedented so there were elements of the storm that increased the chances of the meteorological models not predicting how bad the storm would be or where exactly it would hit.

The storm was bigger then the country so any shift a couple of miles one way was going to have massive implications. This was a matter of life or death. A national red warning was given for people to stay inside and yet 3 people still died. They all died outside in the storm. One of the people killed was just a few miles up the road from me. We didn't get it bad at all (Bettystown), yet a person died just up the road. I cant imagine how bad it could of been had there not been a red warning here because "sure its not going to be as bad in that area".

This had the potential to be a national event which would of stretched every service (emergency and utility) in a way we have never experienced. The less people warned who got hit, the more it stretches resources, causes accidents and deaths. Try to consider the compounded issues caused by not taking action or warning people.

When you don't heed the warnings of people who know more then you (emergency services, met eireann etc), you are being selfish and foolish. You are increasing the chances of being in an accident, which stretches resources and puts the lives of others in danger. A person could die because they were not given the treatment that had to be given to you. This storm was not all about "you", it was about the direct and indirect issues that arise from warning and not warning. Choosing the approach to issue a nationwide alert saved lives, not choosing to do so would of at the very least not reduced the loss the life.

Frankly, we were rather ill prepared if this had been a hurricane or worse than what other nations have witnessed.

I accept the short notice, weather does that, and to be fair, Met Eireann acted quickly, anyone with a smart phone or laptop probably read hours of hurricane related stuff. Personally , I only found out, by chance on facebook with one of my family expressing fears for tomorrow (says more about me)

Surprised , I saw very few boarding up their gaffs and would we even have had the right material to do it? Maybe the State can't be expected to provide everything? We saw how useless they were during the big freezes with the road salt

The fact that many of us went to work yesterday morning, only to be told last minute, for some of us 10-11 am that we could go home. Geee, thanks, couldn't that decision not have been made at 9 or earlier?

MadYaker · 17-10-2017 12:06PM

whisky_galore wrote: »

To those defending irresponsible actions, how are the emergency services supposed to differentiate between someone who 'knows what they're doing' or someone that doesn't?
What if they're mentally ill?

They're so fcuking arrogant, think they know it all out on a rough sea, things can go tits up in a matter of seconds out there.

That old boy in Galway could have had his head opened up on a hard surface and there would be another added to the list of fatalities. What was so important about not missing his daily swim for just one day? Was he going to get a medal or something?

People who know what they are doing generally don't have to call the emergency services. I've been surfing for over ten years in all kinds of conditions some comparable to yesterday and I've never once had to rely on anyone other than myself and my friends. Get qualified as a beach lifegaurd and a surf instructor and then you get to have an opinion. Otherwise it just people who have no idea what they are talking about causing tension.

Edit: http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/hurricane-ophelia/comment-reckless-should-pay-for-their-rescue-after-needlessly-putting-lives-of-emergency-services-in-jeopardy-36234713.html?Dada this sort of bullsh!t from the indo doesn't help at all.

wakka12 · 17-10-2017 12:18PM

MadYaker wrote: »

People who know what they are doing generally don't have to call the emergency services. I've been surfing for over ten years in all kinds of conditions some comparable to yesterday and I've never once had to rely on anyone other than myself and my friends. Get qualified as a beach lifegaurd and a surf instructor and then you get to have an opinion. Otherwise it just people who have no idea what they are talking about causing tension.

I dont know about kite surfing but plenty of very strong swimmers have died at sea . Just like incredibly well prepared and trained mountain climbers die on tough mountain climbs, nature is a powerful and unpredictable thing

RoboRat · 17-10-2017 12:20PM

Whilst I understand why people are annoyed at people for swimming, kite surfing etc it's no different to people who get drunk out of their mind every weekend, take drugs or drink drive and stretch the emergency services, often at the expense of people who need medical attention who have not brought it onto themselves.

I find it a bit hypocritical to see comments about these people being selfish and risking lives from people who have no problem with getting absolutely blind drunk at the weekend.

I don't condone not support those who took risks yesterday but I think there is a massive degree of hypocrisy floating about.

MadYaker · 17-10-2017 12:21PM

wakka12 wrote: »

I dont know about kite surfing but plenty of very strong swimmers have died at sea . Just like incredibly well prepared and trained mountain climbers die on tough mountain climbs, nature is a powerful and unpredictable thing

I wonder would all the idiots commenting on facebook try and lecture pilots about when its safe to fly? I doubt they would. But the reality is they know as much about kite surfing as they do about flying planes.

Dyr · 17-10-2017 12:27PM

MadYaker wrote: »

People who know what they are doing generally don't have to call the emergency services. I've been surfing for over ten years in all kinds of conditions some comparable to yesterday and I've never once had to rely on anyone other than myself and my friends. Get qualified as a beach lifegaurd and a surf instructor and then you get to have an opinion. Otherwise it just people who have no idea what they are talking about causing tension.

Edit: http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/hurricane-ophelia/comment-reckless-should-pay-for-their-rescue-after-needlessly-putting-lives-of-emergency-services-in-jeopardy-36234713.html?Dada this sort of bullsh!t from the indo doesn't help at all.

Yes but obviously people know not to worry about you as your impressive qualifications are visible from shore, Along with your massive head

Here's the deal, When a red weather warning is in place just stay out of the ****ing sea.

Bunch of twats

So this Hurricane

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