Ophelia rakes over British Isles, killing three

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Ophelia continued to wreak havoc on the British Isles on Tuesday, a day after making landfall with hurricane-force winds on Ireland’s southern coast. At least three people died. The unusual storm howled along the coast with 100 mph wind gusts, kicking up a vicious surf, downing trees, and leaving thousands without power. Irish officials predicted it would take days to restore power to 330,000 homes and businesses. Schools in Ireland remained closed Tuesday amid ongoing cleanup efforts and damage assessments. The slightly weakened storm moved over Scotland late Monday, with wind gusts that reached 77 mph. Downed trees blocked roads and rail lines, making the Tuesday morning commute miserable. Ophelia’s winds reached as far as Norway and Sweden, where residents reported smelling the smoke from wildfires blown all the way from Spain and Portugal.

Leigh Jones

Leigh is features editor for WORLD. She is a World Journalism Institute graduate who spent six years as a newspaper reporter in Texas before joining WORLD News Group. Leigh also co-wrote Infinite Monster: Courage, Hope, and Resurrection in the Face of One of America's Largest Hurricanes. She resides with her husband and daughter in Houston, Texas.