While the fact that ex-hurricane Ophelia was heading for this island was well flagged-up over the weekend, there was a marked contrast in the response of the authorities on each side of the border.
State agencies in the Republic issued a range of bulletins advising the public on protecting themselves and their property.
The Irish government's National Emergency Coordination Group met on Sunday to discuss preparations with the defence forces placed on standby, sandbags distributed and warnings issued about likely transport disruption.
In the evening it was announced that all schools and colleges would close while Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was a visible presence.
The overall impression was of a government taking this storm seriously, making sure it had all necessary plans in place and minimising the risk to the public by encouraging people to stay off the roads.
Given the tragic deaths that occurred yesterday, the authorities were justified in issuing warnings.
In Northern Ireland, the Met Office did issue advice on the likely impact of Ophelia, warning of very strong winds, with the potential for injuries and danger to life.
However, it is fair to say that we did not see the sort of comprehensive and co-ordinated approach that was shown in the Republic.
In particular, the announcement on social media that all schools should close came so late on Sunday night that many parents and teachers may not have seen it.
Some principals said the wording of the original tweet caused confusion yet they did not receive an official email explaining what was happening even by yesterday morning.
Given safety concerns, it was the right decision to close schools and colleges but the issue is more about timing and communication.
Of course, the Republic has a fully functioning government while Northern Ireland does not.
And while various departments and agencies may have procedures in place, we need an accountable executive capable of taking overall control and ensuring we are properly prepared for emergencies such as severe weather.
