Argyll escapes worst of hurricane’s wrath
Ophelia just like any other autumn gale
AN ORANGE sky cast an eerie light ahead of former Hurricane Ophelia’s arrival in Mid Argyll on Monday October 16.
The much-heralded storm was predicted to bring with it damaging 60mph gusts to the West Coast of Scotland. Met Office warnings were issued and preparations made but in the end the storm proved to be no more damaging than any other autumn gale.
The unusual orange glow was caused by the effect of Ophelia – the most easterly Atlantic hurricane ever recorded – drawing in tropical air from the Sahara and with it sand and other small particles from forest fires afflicting Portugal.
The Met Office issued not an orange but a yellow alert for potential wind damage – this was later upgraded to ‘amber’ for south Kintyre.
Coming in from the Azores, Ophelia made landfall at the south of Ireland on Monday morning with gusts approaching 100mph. Three people in Ireland lost their lives as the storm passed over the country.
In Mid Argyll, the breeze built from mid afternoon. The full impact was felt from around 7pm.
As the storm subsided on Tuesday, there were reports of electricity supplies being temporarily lost overnight in areas across Argyll.
The Coastguard confirmed no serious incidents other than boats dragging moorings and one small vessel sinking at her mooring in Tarbert. No-one was injured.
The police and Argyll and Bute Council reported nothing other than trees and branches coming down in the wind and these were quickly cleared.
Rainfall caused temporary flooding on roads.
Monday evening’s high tide came as wind speeds eased slightly and, while debris was thrown ashore, no serious damage was reported.
To watch a video of the storm’s impact at Ardrishaig, visit the Argyllshire Advertiser website.