The late decision to close schools and colleges across Northern Ireland due to hurricane Ophelia, resulted in a rush to get the information to staff and parents on Sunday night, with the BBC broadcasting a late night 'newsflash' type message.
The Department of Education (DE) advised schools to close in a tweet posted from the NI Executive account at shortly before 10.30pm on Sunday.
While most staff were alerted to school closures via late night phone calls or text messages, many parents relied on social media for information.
An alert was also broadcast in a banner headline message during Match of the Day on BBC One.
The BBC took the decision following the late night statement released to newsrooms by the education department.
The newsflash type message was reminiscent of security alerts broadcast during the Troubles in a pre social media age.
The unusual decision to broadcast in this way was taken due to the late timing of the DE statement and the urgent need to get the information to pupils, staff and parents.
