The storm swept across the islands of the United Kingdom on Friday 24th January. While the winds reached record speeds and the damage was very significant.
This Friday 24th January, Storm Eowyn hit the islands of Great Britain. Ireland was the first to be hit, followed by Northern Ireland. All schools in both countries were closed on Friday and public transport will not operate in Ireland while the red wind warning remains in force.
With record-breaking wind gusts of 183 kilometers (114 miles) per hour, Storm Eowyn was wild & destructive last night. We hope everyone is OK & stays safe this morning 💨⛈️🌊
📸 Alexandre Lestat Vaëlyn
📍 Salthill, Galway#StormEowyn #Salthill #Galway #Ireland #VisitGalway pic.twitter.com/blqJEkejxN— Visit Galway (@visit_galway) January 24, 2025
Winds of over 180 km/h
Very violent winds have hit Ireland, with gusts of 183 km/h measured, a record since 1945.
🍃 Our team have recorded gusts of 190 km/h (118 mph) on the coast of Co. Clare, Ireland during Storm Éowyn this morning… it took a fight to get the measurement!#Weather #Hurricane #Storm pic.twitter.com/glDHM5M16y
— Weather & Radar UK/Ireland (@WeatherRadar_UK) January 24, 2025
In the Galway region, on the west coast of Ireland, the British weather station says it has recorded winds of 190 km/h, with an average of 135 km/h, a record for the region.
725,000 homes without electricity in Ireland
The Irish public electricity network ESB announced this Friday, January 24 at 12:50 p.m. “unprecedented damage”, while specifying that no less than 725,000 of its customers were without electricity. According to the company, it will take up to nine days to restore power to some customers.
Matt & all the animals are still ok. I did panic a bit when I couldn’t reach him for 30 mins but it turns out he had managed to fall asleep for a few mins & then I woke him up in a panic! 😂
You know it’s bad when a large wooden bench is seen ‘walking’ down the prom! #StormÉowyn pic.twitter.com/7cwVOEV4Jv— Galway Atlantaquaria (@GalwayAquarium) January 24, 2025
“The National Emergency Coordination Group will meet shortly as part of a national effort involving the ESB, the Defence Force, Civil Defence and Irish Water to restore power, water and help to those in need once it is safe. Take care,” said Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. Water cuts also occurred in many homes.
Plane propelled to over 1,300 km/h
A British Airways plane was propelled to an incredible speed of 1,314 km/h by the winds of Storm Eowyn while en route from Las Vegas to London airport, the Daily Mirror reports.
The plane was propelled by what is known as the jet stream, a phenomenon that speeds up the duration of a flight between the United States and Europe. What is also important to know is that the average speed of a cruise flight is usually around 966 km/h.