After Storm Eowyn Leaves UK and Ireland in Chaos with Travel Disruptions and Flight Cancellations, New Cyclone Herminia Looms Ahead

Monday, January 27, 2025

Storm Eowyn may have passed, but its devastating impact continues to disrupt daily life across the UK and Ireland. The storm left widespread chaos in its wake, causing power outages, significant travel disruptions, and numerous flight cancellations. Just as communities begin recovering, a new threat looms on the horizon—Storm Herminia. Expected to bring strong winds, heavy rain, and the potential for further disruptions, Herminia is already causing concern for regions still grappling with Eowyn’s aftermath.

Storm Eowyn Batters the UK, Followed by Storm Herminia’s Arrival

Storm Eowyn has left the UK reeling, smashing records and causing chaos as one of the strongest storms in at least a decade. For some of the hardest-hit areas, it’s being called the worst storm in 20–30 years. Trees toppled, roofs ripped off, and over a million homes and businesses were plunged into darkness. Tragically, at least two people lost their lives due to falling trees.

Scotland and Northern Ireland bore the brunt of Eowyn’s fury. As of Sunday morning, more than 100,000 people were still without power. The aftermath? Widespread damage to homes, railways, and roads. In Glasgow, a roof was blown onto train tracks, adding to the travel chaos. Even Celtic’s match against Dundee had to be canceled because of storm damage at their stadium.

Across the Irish Sea, winds reached a staggering 114mph in Co Galway, Ireland’s highest recorded windspeed ever. Meanwhile, Scotland saw gusts of 100mph, leaving communities battered and exposed.

Storm Herminia Brings More Trouble

And just as people catch their breath, here comes Storm Herminia. Moving in from the South West, Herminia might not pack the same punch as Eowyn, but it’s still a storm to watch. Gusts of 60–70mph and heavy rain are already sweeping through parts of the UK, with yellow weather warnings in place for wind and rain across Northern Ireland, Wales, and much of England.

The Met Office is warning of more travel disruptions and potential flooding, especially in areas already soaked by Eowyn. On higher ground, rain totals could hit 80mm by Monday night. With weakened trees and damaged infrastructure, even a milder storm like Herminia has the potential to cause significant problems.

Communities Rally Amid Widespread Damage

The scale of the destruction is staggering. In Scotland, rail services have resumed on some lines, but Network Rail reports over 400 incidents of damage, from fallen trees to wrecked fences and overhead wires. Energy companies are working tirelessly to restore power, but for many, it’s going to be a long wait. Scottish Power has been inundated, taking a month’s worth of calls every single day since Eowyn hit.

In Northern Ireland, it’s a similar story. Power has been restored to thousands, but tens of thousands remain in the dark, with full restoration still days away.

Officials Respond

The Government held emergency Cobra meetings over the weekend to coordinate the response. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband extended his sympathy to those affected, promising that teams are working “round the clock” to restore power and provide support. The sentiment is echoed by local energy companies, who are making progress despite the mammoth task ahead.

Storm Eowyn’s Aftermath: Flights Grounded, Ferries Halted, and Rail Network Crippled

Flights Grounded Across Major Airports

The aftermath of Storm Eowyn grounded an estimated 1,124 flights across the UK and Ireland on Friday, stranding around 150,000 passengers. Major airports like Dublin, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Heathrow were heavily disrupted. Airlines, including British Airways, Emirates, Air France, and Lufthansa, faced mass cancellations, while some flights were forced to divert mid-air due to dangerous conditions left behind by the storm.

Ferries Halted as Ports Take a Hit

Storm Eowyn wreaked havoc on coastal regions, forcing ferry operators to suspend services. P&O Ferries canceled all Cairnryan-Larne crossings, and CalMac Ferries halted routes between Kennacraig and Islay due to significant port damage. While Stena Line resumed some services late Friday, routes like Ullapool to Stornoway remain vulnerable to disruption as the storm’s effects linger.

Rail Network Crippled by Storm

Storm Eowyn left the UK’s rail network in disarray, with ScotRail suspending all services on Friday. Operators like Avanti West Coast and Northern Rail issued “Do Not Travel” warnings as strong winds and debris made routes unsafe. Key lines, including Cumbria to Manchester Airport and Leeds to Carlisle, remain heavily impacted as teams work to repair the extensive damage caused by the storm.

A Tough Few Days Ahead

For now, communities across the UK are bracing for more rain, wind, and disruption. With so much damage already done, Storm Herminia feels like an uninvited guest at the worst possible time. The focus now is on pulling through and supporting one another in the face of relentless challenges.

Stay safe out there—it’s been a wild ride, and we’re not through it just yet.