PREPARATIONS LIMIT DAMAGE
PREPARATIONS were in place in advance of the arrival of Hurricane Ophelia in order to minimise damage.
Bray Municipal District removed hanging flowerpots from the main street before the storm’s arrival between 12 midday and 1 p.m.
Up to Sunday evening, Wicklow was still at an orange alert state, however that was changed to red and it was announced that all schools would closed.
Wicklow County Council’s severe weather co-ordination group met early on Monday morning and again at regular intervals throughout the day. The group comprises representatives from the Garda Siochana, HSE, Fire Service, Civil Defence and Council staff and was chaired by the Chief Executive, Frank Curran. They decided to close non-essential Council services including: libraries, civic amenity centres, civic playgrounds/skateparks, motor tax, planning department.
Courts did not sit. Any defendants due before Bray District Court on Monday will have had their date adjourned and are urged to contact their solicitors or the court office to confirm.
Most businesses in Bray including shops, coffee shops, supermarkets and others remained open for a short time in the morning, with the weather not expected to deterorate until around lunchtime.
The vast majority of them closed between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The council services on standby for the storm were the council’s outdoor crews, fire services and civil deffence.
The doors of Fassaroe Community Centre and WH Five loaves in Bray, as well as St Teresa’s Boxing Club, all remained open to provide shelter and food for anyone in need.
Wicklow County Council said that it will cover any costs associated with that.
In their homes, locals ensure that they did not leave items around outside the house such as toys and garden furniture. They secured trampolines and wheelie bins in accordance with advice associated with the red alert.