Record-breaking winds, closures, and a call for safety dominate the aftermath of Storm Eowyn.
Storm Eowyn Devastates Ireland, Leaving Hundreds of Thousands Without Power
Storm Eowyn Devastates Ireland, Leaving Hundreds of Thousands Without Power
Severe weather event disrupts travel and leads to power outages across the British Isles.
In a sweeping impact felt across the British Isles, Storm Eowyn left more than 700,000 people in Ireland without power on Friday as it unleashed unprecedented winds and heavy rain. This storm, with wind gusts reaching upwards of 114 miles per hour recorded at Mace Head in County Galway, is deemed the most severe weather event to strike Ireland since 2017. The storm, beginning early Friday morning, caused widespread disruptions primarily affecting Ireland, Northern Ireland, and parts of southern Scotland, as well as the northern and western regions of England and Wales.
According to the Irish Meteorological Service, the dangerous conditions were accompanied by gusts expected to hit up to 100 miles per hour in coastal and hilly areas. The storm's ferocity was illustrated by the extent of power outages, which affected nearly a third of the 2.4 million customers served by ESB Networks, Ireland’s state-owned electricity provider. In anticipation of the gales, travel across the affected regions was severely disrupted, with Northern Rail advising against travel due to dangerous conditions predicted to persist through the weekend.
Air travel also faced significant setbacks with hundreds of flights canceled, especially at Belfast International Airport, where travelers were advised to stay home amid intermittent power outages. The repercussions of Eowyn were further exacerbated by a strong jet stream, which reached speeds of 260 miles per hour this week, significantly enhancing the storm's intensity.
As authorities monitor the impacts of the storm, they are also reminding the public to remain cautious and prepared for ongoing challenges brought about by continued severe weather. The event underscores the vulnerabilities faced by communities in the face of increasingly volatile weather patterns.
According to the Irish Meteorological Service, the dangerous conditions were accompanied by gusts expected to hit up to 100 miles per hour in coastal and hilly areas. The storm's ferocity was illustrated by the extent of power outages, which affected nearly a third of the 2.4 million customers served by ESB Networks, Ireland’s state-owned electricity provider. In anticipation of the gales, travel across the affected regions was severely disrupted, with Northern Rail advising against travel due to dangerous conditions predicted to persist through the weekend.
Air travel also faced significant setbacks with hundreds of flights canceled, especially at Belfast International Airport, where travelers were advised to stay home amid intermittent power outages. The repercussions of Eowyn were further exacerbated by a strong jet stream, which reached speeds of 260 miles per hour this week, significantly enhancing the storm's intensity.
As authorities monitor the impacts of the storm, they are also reminding the public to remain cautious and prepared for ongoing challenges brought about by continued severe weather. The event underscores the vulnerabilities faced by communities in the face of increasingly volatile weather patterns.
