Ireland has recorded a staggering wind speed of 114mph as Storm Eowyn wreaks havoc across the UK and Ireland, causing widespread disruption and prompting red weather warnings.
Severe red warnings for wind have been issued across the whole of Ireland and parts of Scotland, with authorities warning of “danger to life” due to the storm’s intensity.
Travel chaos has unfolded, with trains and flights canceled or delayed across the UK. Schools in Northern Ireland, as well as central and southern Scotland, have been advised to close for safety reasons.
At Dublin Airport, over 230 flights have been canceled, while hundreds more flights face disruption across airports in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Newcastle, and Liverpool.
Power Outages and Emergency Closures
An unprecedented number of power outages have been reported in Ireland, where electricity provider ESB Networks revealed that 715,000 homes, farms, and businesses have already lost power – an alarming figure considering the storm's early stages.
In Northern Ireland, NIE Networks confirmed that over 93,000 homes and businesses are currently without electricity as the storm inflicts significant damage to the power grid.
Tesco has announced the closure of supermarkets within the red warning zones, including areas in Glasgow and Edinburgh, to prioritize customer and staff safety.
Widespread Warnings and Disruptions
Yellow weather warnings cover the entire UK, while an amber alert is in place for northern England and northwest Wales from 6 am to 9 pm on Friday. Public authorities are urging people to avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary, with National Rail advising passengers to check for updates before making any journeys.
In Scotland, all train services have been suspended, and bus and train services in Northern Ireland have also been halted.
Emergency alerts were sent to approximately 4.5 million people in Northern Ireland and Scotland on Thursday evening, warning them of the storm's severity.
Impact on Health Services
The storm has also impacted healthcare services, with NHS Lothian canceling all routine, non-urgent procedures on Friday and postponing the majority of outpatient appointments to ensure the safety of patients and staff. Similarly, NHS Lanarkshire has postponed all non-urgent hospital and community appointments.
As Storm Eowyn continues to sweep across the region, authorities are closely monitoring the situation, urging residents to prioritize safety and stay informed through official updates. Photo by Arnold Paul, Wikimedia commons.