In Ireland, gusts of wind with record speeds of over 183 kilometers per hour move across the country. The authorities temporarily proclaimed the highest warning level on Friday. Schools remain closed, traffic stands still.
neo./(dpa) He has been one of the strongest storms in Great Britain for 27 years: “Éowyn” swept through Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland on Friday. Pictures and videos of uprooted trees, flying gazebos or meter -high waves could be seen on social networks.
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Already on Thursday, the Irish authorities warned of the hurricane. The population was asked not to leave their houses. In the night of Friday, gusts of wind were measured at speeds of more than 140 kilometers per hour.
During the day, “Éowyn” continued to win. In the port city of Foynes, in the west of Ireland, wind gusts were registered at a speed of 183 kilometers per hour. Due to the hurricane gusts, the highest warning level red all over the country on Friday.
Schools and other educational institutions were closed in Ireland on Friday. Public transport was also quiet in large parts of the country. Even supermarkets announced that they would close their branches. The new Irish head of government Micheal Martin described “Éowyn” as a historical storm.
The storm temporarily left 800,000 households, farms and shops in Ireland without electricity according to the Electricity Supply Board (ESB).
-Similar scenes took place in Northern Ireland and Scotland. According to reports, 240,000 Northern Irish and 20,000 Scottish households were at times without electricity. The reason for this is fallen trees and debris that had affected the power lines in the entire region, it said in media reports.
Because “Éowyn” also raged violently in Northern Ireland and Scotland. There he also uprooted trees and caused damage to property.
The British weather service also called out the highest warning level. Schools and educational institutions remained closed, public transport was discontinued. According to Scotrail, the Scottish railway company, there are no trains in Scotland until Saturday afternoon.
In a statement in parliament, Scottish Prime Minister John Swinney said that the recommendation of the weather service was clear. There is a danger to life and there was a risk of damage to houses and traffic failures.
Air traffic severely impaired
In addition to public transport, air traffic was also affected on Friday. Over 200 flights were canceled at the airport in Dublin. So also in Edinburg in Scotland. Air traffic is discontinued by 5 p.m. According to media reports, there are also flights at the airports in Aberdeen, Belfast and Glasgow. Around 50,000 passengers are affected.
In the afternoon, the situation calmed down somewhat. According to media reports, 75,000 households in Ireland have already been supplied with electricity. During the day, the warning level switched to orange or even yellow in some places.
Schools and other educational institutions remain closed on Friday. Public transport is also quiet in large parts of the country. Even supermarkets announced that they would close their branches.