More than 800,000 people without electricity, schools and universities closed. Wind gusts of more than 180 per hour paralyze the two countries. The Irish Prime Minister appeals to citizens: "We are in the eye of the storm, do not go out"
Storm Eowyn hits Britain and Ireland. More than 500 flights have been cancelled due to the arrival of the destructive fury that has hit the islands with winds of over 180 kilometres per hour. The cancellations affect Dublin airports and those of Aberdeen, Belfast, Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland and Northern Ireland, currently the most affected areas of the Kingdom. But weather warnings have also been issued for some northern parts of England. And not only that. Disruptions, blackouts and closed schools in many areas.
The call to stay at home - "Please stay at home if you can," Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill told BBC Radio Ulster, "we are in the eye of the storm now. We are in the red alert period." The Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh has closed its doors and First Minister John Swinney said: "We have to be clear. People must not travel."
Schools closed - Schools and universities were closed in Ireland and Northern Ireland and public transport services were suspended as red alerts were issued. The Irish meteorological office, Met Eireann, reported that gusts of 183 kilometres per hour were recorded at Mace Head on the west coast, beating the record of 182 kilometres per hour set in 1945.
Blackouts affect 800,000 people - More than 700,000 homes and businesses in Ireland and nearly 100,000 in Northern Ireland have been left without power due to "unprecedented, widespread and extensive" damage to electricity infrastructure, the Irish Electricity Supply Board said.
Storm's fury - Part of the storm's energy came from the system that brought historic snowfall to the U.S. Gulf Coast, AccuWeather said. The storm is being driven by the jet stream and is fueled by energy in the upper atmosphere. A rapid drop in air pressure is expected that could turn Eowyn into a bomb cyclone.
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