Storm Amy has caused widespread disruption across the UK and Ireland for a second consecutive day, leaving thousands of homes without power and forcing the closure of parks, railway lines, and ferry routes. Winds of up to 100mph have battered parts of the country.
The Met Office issued a yellow wind warning for the entire UK, with an amber alert in place for northern Scotland, where damaging gusts exceeding 90mph were recorded. A yellow warning for northeast Scotland has been extended to midday on Sunday.
Scotland and Ireland have been worst affected, with power cuts continuing across the Highlands. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks reported 42,000 homes without power on Saturday afternoon, while NIE Networks said 50,000 properties were cut off in Northern Ireland.
In Moray, northeast Scotland, a man was airlifted to safety after being stranded on a sandbank on the River Spey. ScotRail suspended all services out of Glasgow Central after about 80 trees fell on lines. Network Rail reported over 170 separate incidents and said teams were working around the clock to repair damage.
Royal Parks closed all London sites, including Hyde Park and St James’s Park, due to severe wind gusts. The Met Office confirmed a new UK record for the lowest October pressure, with 947.9 hectopascals recorded at Baltasound, Shetland. Winds are expected to ease by Sunday.
