Storm Éowyn leaves nearly 1 million without power across UK and Ireland. Travel Chaos, property damage, and continued warnings as storm ravages region
Nearly one million homes and businesses across the UK and Ireland remain without power after Storm Éowyn unleashed winds of up to 100 mph (161 km/h) on Friday. The storm caused widespread damage, travel chaos, and significant disruption to daily life, BBC reported.
In Ireland, a man tragically died when a tree fell on his car, while Scotland and Northern Ireland reported extensive property damage, train cancellations, and ferry suspensions.
Despite the worst winds subsiding, strong gusts and heavy rain are expected to persist over the weekend. Up to 80mm of rain could fall in parts of England and Wales, with an amber wind warning still active in Scotland. Yellow warnings for wind, rain, snow, and ice remain for parts of southern England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Power and Water Supply Crises
Ireland has been hit hardest, with 625,000 properties still without electricity. The Electricity Supply Board warned that restoring power would take several days. Additionally, 138,000 residents are without water due to power outages affecting treatment plants and pumping stations.
“This storm has left a trail of destruction across the region, and recovery efforts will take days, if not weeks,” said Northern Ireland Electricity.
Northern Ireland Electricity said 214,000 properties remain powerless, with some areas facing up to 10 days of disruption. Scotland reported 106,000 outages, while 20,000 homes in north-west England were affected.
Travel Disruptions Across the Region
Travel remains heavily impacted as fallen trees, debris, and damaged infrastructure cause widespread delays. ScotRail engineers are working overnight to clear tracks and repair overhead lines, with services not expected to resume before noon on Saturday.
Edinburgh Airport warned of “challenging conditions,” while Glasgow and Belfast International urged passengers to confirm travel plans with airlines. Ferry services in the Irish Sea, including CalMac and Stena Line, are gradually resuming but remain disrupted.
Infrastructure Damage and School Closures
Northern Ireland’s infrastructure department reported over 1,800 instances of blocked roads due to fallen trees and debris. Sixty schools have sustained significant damage, and officials are assessing which can reopen on Monday.
Outlook
Although the fiercest winds have passed, coastal and hilly areas of Scotland and Northern Ireland may still face gusts exceeding 80 mph (128 km/h). Recovery efforts are underway, but officials warn of prolonged disruptions in the days ahead.
