School buses are cancelled over hurricane fears

TENS of thousands of school children won’t be able to get to school tomorrow as Bus Éireann has cancelled services in areas predicted to be hit hardest by Hurricane Ophelia.

The bus provider has contacted parents across the country saying it will not operate its services in areas that Met Éireann has classed as status red.

The counties affected are Galway, Mayo, Cork, Kerry and Clare, with an orange warning for the rest of Ireland.

Forecasters are warning of gusts in excess of 130kph and average wind speeds of up to 85kph.

For comparison, a gale has average wind speeds of 62kph.

Met Éireann forecaster Pat Clarke told the Irish Mail on Sunday that the storm would pass close to western parts of the country, bringing hazardous conditions. He said: ‘The southwest and the west will bear the brunt of the weather but all of Ireland is going to have strong winds.

‘These have potential to cause structural damage and disruption.’

Bus Éireann said in a statement yesterday: ‘School Transport Scheme services operated by Bus Éireann in Cork, Kerry, Clare, Mayo and Galway will not operate, Monday, October 16th, due to Met Éireann’s Status Red weather warning.’

Bus Éireann contacted parents, school management bodies and school transport contractors by email to inform them that this situation may arise.

It said it wanted to eliminate any risk the hurricane could pose to the many children who are picked up by buses on minor roads ‘and could, therefore, be exposed to severe elements’.

The firm added: ‘We are aware this decision may cause inconvenience but the safety of school children is our number one priority.’

Bus Éireann said it was up to the individual schools to decide whether to remain open amid the storm warnings.

‘Guidance on school closure – provided by the Department of Education and Skills and contained in the Government’s Winter Ready publication – includes specific guidance where there is a Status Red alert relating to strong winds and storm conditions,’ the statement said.

Ahead of the storm, Ireland has been experiencing an Indian summer, with temperatures as high as 20C in parts, around seven degrees higher than the October average. But temperatures will drop down closer to the October average of 12-14 degrees, and heavy rain is possible all over the country from this evening as the storm moves closer.

Southern parts of Munster will be hit hardest by the high seas caused by Ophelia.

Waves as high as nine metres are expected to hammer parts of the Munster coast on Monday evening.