The remnants of Hurricane Ophelia is currently battering the south-western coastline of Ireland, but much of the country doesn’t seem to be taking it very seriously.
#Ophelia is currently trending worldwide on Twitter at present, and obviously in Ireland. But while that hashtag does include updates on the storm, alerts and citizen reports, it also includes a healthy dosage of memes.
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The snarky comments emanating from the emerald isle is as humourous as it is worrying, considering that Ex-Ophelia (as the UK Met Office is calling her) is still packing wind gusts in excess of 170km/h.
This must be a the strongest recorded gust in Ireland. 191kmh gust at Fastnet Lighthouse minutes ago at (1108hrs) Mean speed of 141kmh pic.twitter.com/QvnqTf9vBt
—
Metalert Ireland (@MetAlertIreland) October 16, 2017
Nevertheless, it seems that the country can’t quite agree on how to spell the storm’s name.
#Ophelia trending 1st in Ireland. #Opehlia 2nd. Are we sure about closing the schools?
— Ciaran McGrenera (@ciaranmcgrenera) October 16, 2017
Those who could opened their “Memes” folder, and bestowed Twitter with some novel gems.
#Ophelia
The whole world: You should be taking this seriously. A hurricane is serious!!
Ireland: pic.twitter.com/flNNani5cc— Ali (@original_clever) October 16, 2017
John Locke had the right idea #Lost #Ophelia pic.twitter.com/oXi4ChCJ9J
— Kieran M Foley (@abunchofcliches) October 16, 2017
Emergency services being rushed to Kerry! #Ophelia pic.twitter.com/6jiKGGUE7k
— Koci (@Koci71) October 16, 2017
Never been on Twitter at 5am before but seems like half the country is awake waiting on #Ophelia pic.twitter.com/B3KjBNUnTS
— GMcKeown (@GerMcK1976) October 16, 2017
Only in Ireland
#Ophelia pic.twitter.com/pe9tXEPqcS — Lauren langdon (@llangdon16) October 16, 2017
Just prepared this… I think it fit’s well! #Ophelia pic.twitter.com/d6maDO0Bfz
— Damian Hall-Beal (@hbidamian) October 16, 2017
This time tomorrow….#ophelia pic.twitter.com/ukLlVYtHkx
— Sarah McInerney (@SarahAMcInerney) October 15, 2017
Others were actually preparing for the storm, said to be the worst to hit Ireland in over 50 years.
There are city council workers collecting leaves in North Strand. Collecting. Leaves. Before. A. Hurricane.
FFS Ireland. #ophelia
— Dreadford
(@Bed_Forever_) October 16, 2017
People in Ireland: every workplace should close for the safety of staff
Also people in Ireland: the pubs are still open right? #Ophelia
— EoinItalia90 (@EoinMItalia90) October 16, 2017
Seen in Loughrea! #ophelia pic.twitter.com/IT1S9hqXJT
— Jenny Griffin (@jennygriffin84) October 16, 2017
A number of users in Ireland are livestreaming the storm’s arrival, and some are gazing across the street into their potential husbands’ eyes.
The man in the house across from me staring out the window to storm watch just like me. This is it. This is how I meet my husband #Ophelia
— Joanne Heffernan (@joanneheff) October 16, 2017
Of course, a dose of healthy social commentary was also handed out.
This is my first hurricane so I’m a bit of a novice. When do we start the looting ? #Opheila #Ophelia
— colin o donoghue (@dunnocks74) October 16, 2017
While the Irish reveled in the storm’s ability to bring the nation together.
Ireland hasn’t felt this sense of togetherness since Riverdance at the Eurovision in 94′ #Ophelia
— Ross O’Leary (@Ross_O_Leary) October 15, 2017
It’s why I love Ireland, hurricane #Ophelia on the way, we’re completely unprepared but the banter on social media is brilliant!
— Paul Hegarty (@phegarty) October 15, 2017
Ex-Hurricane Ophelia is set to make landfall in Ireland today, and traverse across the Irish Sea through Scotland.
Feature image: MetEireann via Twitter
