Edinburgh: Storm Éowyn has caused widespread chaos across the UK and Ireland, with over 1,000 flights cancelled, major roads blocked, and power outages affecting nearly 100,000 homes.
The Met Office has issued a rare red “danger to life” alert for parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, warning of 100mph (160km/h) winds and severe disruption. Amber and yellow alerts remain in place for other areas.
The storm, classified as a “weather bomb” due to rapid explosive cyclogenesis, has brought record-breaking gusts, including a peak of 114mph in Ireland, the fastest recorded since monitoring began.
Flying debris, fallen trees, power cuts, and hazardous waves have prompted officials to urge millions to stay home. Emergency alerts were sent to 4.5 million phones, marking the largest use of the tool in the UK to date.
Police in Northern Ireland have reported significant debris across roads, advising against all travel in red warning areas. Schools, colleges, and courts have been closed, with ferry services, rail networks, and flights severely disrupted.
#StormÉowyn continues to bring very strong winds across the UK during Friday afternoon, with Red Warnings in force ⚠️
Rain and snow will accompany this across Scotland, whilst sunnier spells will emerge elsewhere pic.twitter.com/kygUO8L6n9
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 24, 2025
ScotRail suspended all services across Scotland, and dozens of flights were grounded at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Dublin airports.
The storm’s impact has stretched across the Irish Sea, with gusts reaching 108mph at Mace Head off Ireland’s west coast.
Emergency services in Wales have responded to surface flooding, while Avon and Somerset reported numerous roads blocked by fallen trees. Coastal bridges, including the M48 Severn and Tamar, have also been affected.
Officials continue to warn of further disruptions, urging people to avoid travel unless essential as the red alert remains in effect.
Authorities have described Storm Éowyn as the most severe weather event in decades, with the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill, emphasizing the need for caution.
Michelle said that, “We are in the eye of the storm. This is a period of jeopardy, and the damage caused by this unprecedented weather could be significant. Please stay home and stay safe.”
The storm is expected to weaken over the weekend, but red and amber alerts remain in place until late Friday for many affected areas.
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