Storm Eowyn struck Ireland on Friday, causing widespread destruction and leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity. The powerful storm brought record-breaking winds, significantly disrupting travel across Ireland, Scotland, and the northern regions of England. According to the Irish Meteorological Service, winds reaching up to 70 miles per hour were predicted, with gusts as high as 100 mph in exposed areas.
Notably, a wind gust of 114 mph was recorded early in Mace Head, County Galway, shattering the 1945 record. As a result, ESB Networks reported that about 715,000 customers were in the dark, nearly one-third of its 2.4 million total clientele. Rain showers were also forecast as part of Eowyn's impact, with potential hail and snow expected to blanket parts of Scotland.
Travel disruptions worsened as Northern Rail advised passengers to avoid traveling due to severe storm conditions. Similarly, hundreds of flights were canceled across airports in Ireland and Britain, with Belfast International Airport urging people to stay home while facing intermittent outages.
Storm Eowyn, driven by a robust jet stream which surged to 260 mph, is the most consequential storm to strike Ireland since the catastrophic events of 2017. Sources warn of “very dangerous conditions” moving forward, escalating potential impacts on daily life in the affected areas. As communities grapple with these challenges, alert systems remain in effect to keep the public informed.
