Storm Eowyn, described by the Met Office as the “strongest storm” to hit the UK in at least 10 years, left a trail of destruction across the British Isles, with wind gusts exceeding 100mph. At its peak, nearly a million properties lost power, and severe weather disrupted transport and infrastructure, prompting widespread safety concerns.
Ireland bore the brunt of the storm, experiencing record-breaking winds of 114mph (183 km/h) in County Donegal. Tragically, a 20-year-old man, Kacper Dudek, lost his life when a tree fell on his car. Meanwhile, parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland suffered extensive property damage and infrastructure breakdowns, with Network Rail Scotland logging nearly 400 damage incidents.
As of Saturday, approximately 30,000 properties in Scotland, 189,000 in Northern Ireland, and 20,000 in northwest England remained without power. Restoration efforts are ongoing but could take up to 10 days in some areas, according to Northern Ireland Electricity. Additionally, 138,000 people in Ireland faced water supply issues due to power outages at treatment plants.
The storm’s impact extended to transport services, with railways, roads, and ferry crossings heavily affected. Engineers worked through the night to clear debris from tracks, allowing the East Coast Main Line between Edinburgh and Newcastle to reopen. However, disruptions persisted on services in northern England and around coasts.
Communities in Scotland and Northern Ireland witnessed unprecedented damage. Paul Morrow, from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, described the aftermath as “something we’ve never seen before,” urging public caution as the region transitions from emergency response to recovery.
Weather warnings remain in place across the UK. Scotland faces strong winds and snow, with gusts of up to 80mph in exposed areas. Yellow warnings for wind, rain, and ice cover much of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Flood alerts have been issued for parts of southern England, Scotland, and Wales.
The storm also unleashed powerful waves along coastal regions, with local residents recounting harrowing experiences. In Cardross, Scotland, electrician Liam Downs described driving amid falling trees and surging waves that displaced vehicles.
While the worst of Storm Eowyn has passed, heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected over the weekend, potentially exacerbating damage. Emergency services and local authorities are urging the public to stay vigilant and adhere to safety advisories.
