The AA has in the past few minutes released an advisory for motorists to avoid all unnecessary journeys due to hazardous road conditions.



Spokesman Vince Crane said: “Those in the worst affected regions such as west Wales, the North West and Scotland should avoid unnecessary travel.



"For those on the road, expect disruption and drive to the conditions; be prepared as some roads will be treacherous.



“Strong or sudden gusts of wind are more likely on open stretches of road, when passing bridges or gaps in hedges, or when overtaking high-sided vehicles.



“Wind can also bring down trees, blow you off course or blow other vehicles into your path” More than 1,000 Army troops are on standby with 100mph gales set to lash swathes of the country through the next 48 hours.



Government forecasters have issued a “danger to life” alert ramping up severe weather warnings from yellow to the more severe amber. More than 50,000 homes in Cork are now without power as Hurricane Ophelia rampages through. Latest in Ireland, gusts of 124km/h have been recorded at Cork Airport, while 6.5km off the south-west coast at Fastnet Rock recorded winds of a whopping 176km/h.





PA Hurricane Ophelia warning: Met Eireann forecaster Evelyn Cusack issued an alert for Ireland and UK

Locals spoke of the sky darkening with every part of Ireland feeling Ophelia over the next three hours.



The Met Office has in the past hour extended this alert from Ireland into a wider part of western and northern Britain while bringing the danger time forward to midday.



The storm, now a post-tropical cyclone is currently making landfall with Ireland with northern and western Britain next in the firing line.



It will drag a colossal sea swell towards the UK hurling 20-ft waves over sea defences along the west coast.

PA Hurricane Ophelia is set to smash into the UK and Ireland

Witnesses have spoken of early signs of damage as the Hurricane closes in on Ireland. "Trees are bent in two, the noise of the wind is unbelievable," one woman in Carrigaline, Co Cork told Newstalk Breakfast. She added: "Things are hitting against my window and the sky has turned an eerily yellow colour. The trees are unbelievable. There's hardly any leaves left on them." Residents in Cork are already in the midst of the storm with up to 1,600 people without power and a number of roads blocked. The Environment Agency (EA) has issued nine flood alerts and three more serious flood warnings across the region.



A statement issued on its website this morning simply reads: “Flooding is expected - immediate action required.”



Most at risk regions are the south; the southwest including Bournemouth, Dorset and Lyme Regis and the northwest including the Lake District.



Winds will start to pick up across Scotland, Wales and the southwest through today before ripping through the country overnight and into tomorrow.



Another severe weather warning for wind is in place across Northern Ireland, Scotland and a huge chunk of northern England tomorrow.







WX Charts Hurricane Ophelia will make its way up the Irish Sea

Britain is warned to prepare for power outages, chaos on the roads and transport networks and flooding from heavy rain.



Ireland is currently on lockdown as the storm approaches with schools, universities and public services closed.



Homeless people have been urged not to remain on the streets but instead head to day centres which are staying open to offer refuge.



While Ireland is in the direct firing line, Britain will take a lightly battering from the storm when she hits tonight.



Met Éireann, Ireland’s national meteorological service, said Ophelia threatens to unleash the worst battering since Hurricane Debbie killed 16 people in 1961.



The UK Met Office said road, air and ferry journeys are likely to be disrupted through today with high winds threatening bridge closures.







Hurricane Ophelia: Latest charts and maps Mon, October 16, 2017 See all the latest path maps, wind speeds and charts of Hurricane Ophelia. Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 18 Hurricane Ophelia image captured by NASA is seen in space

Chief forecaster Steve Ramsdale said: “A spell of very windy weather is expected today in association with ex-Ophelia.



“Longer journey times and cancellations are likely, as road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected as well as some bridge closures.



“There is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.



“Flying debris is likely, such as tiles blown from roofs, as well as large waves around coastal districts with beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties.



“This leads to the potential for injuries and danger to life.







Earth Hurricane Ophelia LIVE STREAM: Currently barrelling across Ireland

GETTY Hurricane Ophelia hitting coast of Ireland