Storm Éowyn brought record-breaking wind speeds to Ireland, with some areas experiencing hurricane-force winds, according to Met Éireann. Two weather stations—Mace Head in County Galway and Malin Head in County Donegal—recorded sustained winds reaching force 12 on the Beaufort scale, the highest possible level.
The highest wind gust was recorded at 114 mph (184 km/h) in both Galway and Donegal, while sustained 10-minute average wind speeds peaked at 88 mph (142 km/h). The extreme conditions prompted red weather warnings across the UK and Ireland, leaving hundreds of thousands without power.
Storm Éowyn’s Rapid Intensification Causes Severe Disruption
Met Éireann reported that Storm Éowyn underwent explosive cyclogenesis as it approached Ireland from the southwest. On January 23, the storm reached peak intensity as it brushed the northwest coast, triggering widespread damage and disruptions.
The UK Met Office issued its first-ever red weather warning for Northern Ireland and Scotland, warning of a “danger to life” due to severe winds and flying debris. Businesses, including Lidl, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s, were forced to close, while schools were advised to shut for safety.
Power Cuts and Transport Disruptions Across Ireland and Northern Ireland
The storm knocked out power to 285,000 homes and businesses, with over 200,000 customers affected at the height of the disruption. Many communities were left in the dark for days as repair crews struggled to restore electricity.
Public transportation was also severely impacted. Translink canceled all bus and train services in Northern Ireland during the red alert. Fallen trees and debris blocked several railway lines, delaying cleanup efforts.
Tragic Fatality and Long-Lasting Infrastructure Damage
Storm Éowyn turned deadly when a falling tree crushed a car in County Donegal, killing Kacper Dudek on the N14 near Ballinalecky Cross.
Beyond power outages, many residents are still struggling with internet and phone service disruptions. Broadband provider Fibrus reported that as of this week, 6,000 customers remain without service due to fibre cable damage, with full restoration not expected until February 17.
Additionally, five telecom masts were destroyed during the storm, further complicating recovery efforts. DUP assembly member Deborah Erskine called for an urgent review of telecommunications infrastructure to prevent similar disruptions in future storms.
As clean-up operations continue, Storm Éowyn has left a lasting impact on Ireland and Northern Ireland’s power grid, transportation networks, and communication systems.
