Members of the public are being warned against attempting to venture out to take photographs as Storm Ophelia hits the country.

The National Emergency Coordination Group has advised members of the public to stay at home today where possible.

Met Éireann has warned that the storm is likely to be the most severe weather event to hit the country in over 50 years.

Jim Griffin, officer in charge at Dunmore East Coastguard in county Waterford, has warned against putting lives at risk for the sake of a photo:

“The cameras on the modern phones nowadays – everyone loves to get to the coastline and get that really high-quality snap of the ferocious weather,” he said.

He said the Wexford area has received “very heavy downpours” in the last fortnight adding that the ground on cliff tops is “extremely soft at the moment.”

“Our advice would be stay well inland and don’t go for that ultimate photograph,” he said.

“It is not worth your life and it is not worth the rescue services lives either.”

The storm is expected to track directly over the country throughout the day.

All schools and colleges have been closed, ferries cancelled, court sittings postponed and the Defence Forces have been put on standby.