DUBLIN/LONDON, January 25, 2025 — Storm Éowyn has wreaked havoc across Ireland and the United Kingdom, leaving one person dead and causing widespread power outages, flight cancellations, and infrastructure damage.
A man was killed in County Donegal, Ireland, after a tree fell on his car, according to Gardaí (Irish police).
The storm brought Ireland’s strongest recorded wind gusts, with Mace Head in County Galway registering speeds of 114mph (183km/h). Power outages affected approximately 725,000 properties, while around 138,000 people were left without water.
In the UK, millions were urged to stay indoors as wind gusts of up to 100mph (160km/h) battered the country.
Scotland was particularly hard-hit, with all trains suspended and schools in Glasgow and Edinburgh closed. An amber wind warning remains in effect for parts of Scotland, as gusts exceeding 80mph (128km/h) are still expected in coastal and hilly areas.
Northern Ireland bore the brunt of the storm, with First Minister Michelle O’Neill warning of a “real threat to life and property.”
The region experienced its strongest wind gusts in 27 years. The number of homes without electricity fell to 250,000, but NIE Networks cautioned that full restoration could take up to ten days.
In Scotland, First Minister John Swinney described the storm as an “exceptional weather event,” stressing the need for continued vigilance.
Around 117,000 homes and businesses remained without power, while thousands more were affected in Wales and England, particularly in Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Cumbria.
Severe travel disruptions ensued, with over 1,100 flights canceled, affecting approximately 150,000 passengers. Dublin, Edinburgh, Heathrow, and Glasgow airports reported the most significant disruptions. A Ryanair flight from Stansted to Edinburgh was forced to turn back due to extreme turbulence.
Supermarkets and public services were also impacted. Tesco announced the closure of all stores in Northern Ireland, suspending home deliveries. Ferry crossings were canceled, and bus and train services were suspended across affected regions.
Ireland’s Met Éireann issued red weather warnings, with meteorologists calling Éowyn “Ireland’s storm of the century.”
The Electricity Supply Board reported “unprecedented, widespread, and extensive damage to electricity infrastructure,” warning that repairs would take several days. Water supplies for an additional 750,000 people were at risk, utility company Uisce Éireann stated.
One of the most dramatic structural failures occurred in County Mayo, where high winds tore through the £2.6 million Connacht GAA Air Dome, leaving the indoor sports facility in ruins.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, with warnings for wind, rain, snow, and ice remaining in effect across the UK in the coming days.
Emergency services urge residents to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow official guidance for power outages and storm-related disruptions.
As recovery efforts begin, affected communities brace for ongoing challenges in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn’s unprecedented destruction.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
){kind=link}