DUBLIN, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- A woman died in south Ireland's County Waterford and thousands of homes were without power as a result of damage caused by Hurricane Ophelia, public broadcaster RTE reported.
A section of a tree fell on the woman's car on Monday near Aglish, County Waterford. She was the sole occupant of the car and was pronounced dead at the scene, local police said, urging motorists not to travel anywhere.
Meanwhile, thousands of homes and businesses across southern coastal counties were without electricity as a result of falling trees bringing down power cables.
Falling trees also blocked several important roads in the counties.
All schools and colleges were shut on Monday due to the hurricane.
Officials from the Department of Education were meeting at the moment to discuss whether schools would reopen Tuesday. A decision would be made later Monday afternoon, the department said.
All buses and trains were suspended. Commuter service companies said the situation would be reviewed later Monday.
Met Eireann, the Irish national meteorological service, said Ophelia is the most severe weather event to hit this country since Hurricane Debbie in 1961.
On Sunday evening, Met Eireann upgraded the entire country to a status red wind alert, saying that Ophelia was forecast to track directly over Ireland during daytime Monday.
"Violent and destructive gusts are forecast with all areas at risk and in particular the southwest and south in the morning, and eastern counties in the afternoon. Also heavy rain and storm surges along some coasts will result in flooding," it said.
Members of the Irish Defense Forces were on standby in southern coastal counties of Cork, Galway, Kilkenny and Limerick as Ophelia hit the country.
The public has been advised to stay off the roads during the height of the storm if possible and to avoid coastal areas. Cyclists have also been warned not to go out on their bikes.
Drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists should also be aware of the extreme danger posed by gale force winds as they are particularly vulnerable, Irish police said.
