Bridge across Derry devoid of traffic as public heeded warnings to stay indoors yesterday during Storm Ophelia. PICTURE BY DONAL DUNN
DERRY escaped the worst of ex-Hurricane Ophelia which battered the south and west coasts of Ireland yesterday and last night.
But schools and parks across the region remain closed this morning as the North West assesses any damage left by overnight high winds as the storm headed to Scotland and the North East of England.
From lunchtime yesterday the city turned into a ghost town as shops, offfices and businesses closed over fears Derry would take a battering along with other parts of the North West.
Police and the council had advised people to stay in doors, stay off the roads and only make journeys which were absolutely essential.
And people heeded the warnings with streets deserted as householders sat indoors praying for the storm to pass without causing any major destruction.
The Western Trust cancelled all routine outpatient appointments at Altnagelvin.
The council closed all of its civic facilities, including leisure centres, parks, open spaces, cemeteries and recycling centres by 3 p.m.
All schools closed on Monday and remained closed today as principles assess any structural damage caused by the winds.
And City of Derry Airport (CoDA) resumed normal operations this morning after BMI Regional flights, BM1507 and BM1508 between Derry and London Stansted yesterday evening were cancelled as a result of the adverse weather
There were also power outages for residents living in the BT47 postcode area but electricity supplies in this area have now been restored although other parts of the North are still with power as engineers work to fix the damage.
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