Storm Éowyn Causes Widespread Damage Across UK and Ireland
Severe weather leads to power outages, transport disruptions, and fatalities as Storm Éowyn hits
A powerful storm named Éowyn has caused significant disruption across the UK and Ireland, resulting in at least one fatality and extensive power outages.
In County Donegal, Ireland, local police reported the death of a man after a tree fell on his car.
Storm Éowyn has left more than one million homes, farms, and businesses without power across the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
According to ESB Networks in Ireland, approximately 725,000 customers have been affected in the Republic of Ireland, with NIE Networks reporting about 283,000 outages in Northern Ireland.
In Scotland, around 100,000 households were without electricity as strong winds swept through the region.
Transport across the affected areas has been heavily impacted.
ScotRail announced the suspension of all its services until at least midday on Saturday.
The railway operator stated that the extent of the damage caused by the storm would only be known after a full assessment by Network Rail.
In the meantime, efforts are being made to clear fallen trees and debris from the tracks.
Air travel has also seen significant cancellations, with at least 334 flights grounded across major airports in Aberdeen, Belfast, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.
The cancellations have affected approximately 50,000 passengers, according to PA news agency.
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks activated emergency protocols to address the extensive damage caused by the storm, which resulted in power outages across nearly one in three households in the region.
Plans are underway to prioritize restoration efforts for faults impacting the largest number of homes and businesses, a process that could take up to ten days.
The Met Office observed a rare weather phenomenon known as a 'sting jet' over Ireland, characterized by a concentrated area of intense winds reaching up to 100 mph.
Such phenomena can lead to extreme weather conditions across small geographic areas, intensifying the impact of the storm.
In response to the red 'danger to life' weather warnings, millions of residents have been urged to stay indoors.
Schools were closed and numerous main roads were shut as high winds posed safety threats.
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room convened to coordinate responses to the storm’s impact, while public agencies continue to manage urgent incidents and assess ongoing risks.
As Storm Éowyn proceeds, meteorologists mention that icy conditions are expected on Saturday morning, with winds potentially leading to wintry showers and thunder across Scotland.
Elsewhere, periods of sunshine are anticipated to offer some respite over the weekend.