100mph winds from Storm Éowyn knock out power to millions, grounds flights in Ireland and Scotland
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Record-Breaking Winds and Power Failures
Ireland was hit by wind gusts of up to 114 mph, surpassing a previous record set in 1945. These winds, the strongest recorded since World War II, caused widespread damage to power infrastructure, leaving over 700,000 homes and businesses in Ireland without electricity. In Northern Ireland, around 100,000 customers were also affected by power outages. Scotland saw power cuts affecting more than 20,000 customers.
The storm’s strength prompted the Irish Meteorological Service to issue a rare red warning, the highest level of alert, for much of Ireland and parts of Scotland. “Please just stay at home if you can,” Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, urged on BBC Radio Ulster. “We’re in the eye of the storm now. We are in the period of the red alert.”
The strong winds not only caused power failures but also disrupted transportation across the region. Schools across Ireland were closed, and travel was severely affected, with more than 1,000 flights cancelled across airports, including London Heathrow. The National Transport Authority in Ireland suspended all public transport, while Northern Rail in England advised passengers to avoid travelling on Friday and Saturday.
Widespread Travel Disruptions
The storm also
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