Storm Eowyn Rages Across Ireland, Leaving Hundreds of Thousands Without Power

Mon Oct 20 2025 15:39:15 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Devastating wind and harsh weather from Storm Eowyn disrupts life in Ireland, Scotland, and northern England, plunging vast areas into darkness.

Storm Eowyn, one of the most powerful storms in years, has resulted in significant power outages and travel disruptions across Ireland, Scotland, and northern England, affecting hundreds of thousands of residents.

A fierce and relentless storm, aptly named Eowyn, swept across Ireland and northern regions of the United Kingdom on Friday, leaving approximately 715,000 electricity customers in total darkness. This staggering figure represents nearly a third of the 2.4 million customers served by ESB Networks, Ireland's state-owned power provider.

As the storm progressed, it unleashed record-breaking wind gusts, peaking at an astonishing 114 miles per hour in Mace Head, County Galway, shattering a nearly 80-year-old record. The Irish Meteorological Service reported that winds could reach 70 miles per hour in many areas, while select locations in southwestern Scotland and Irish Sea coasts were braced for gusts of up to 100 m.p.h.

Besides the powerful winds, residents faced incidents of heavy rain, hail, and even snow in the higher elevations of Scotland. The UK's Meteorological Office cautioned about extremely hazardous conditions, indicating potential widespread disruptions to daily life.

Travelers faced robust impacts from the storm, with Northern Rail advising its passengers to refrain from traveling due to severe disruptions on both Friday and Saturday. Additionally, numerous flights were grounded, particularly affecting services through Belfast International Airport, where power outages compounded the chaos. Officials strongly recommended that travelers refrain from heading to the airport and advised checking flight statuses directly with airlines.

The exceptional strength of Storm Eowyn was attributed to a remarkably strong jet stream, which intensified weather patterns across the region. Typically ranging from 190 to 220 m.p.h., the jet stream reached unprecedented speeds of 260 m.p.h. earlier in the week, fueling the storm’s growth and severity.

Having reached the UK shores, Storm Eowyn is now considered the most severe weather phenomenon since 2017, a year that saw devastating storms claim lives across the northeastern Atlantic. As cleanup begins, communities brace for the aftermath and lingering disruptions in the days ahead.