A man has died and hundreds of thousands of homes are without power as Storm Amy, the first named storm of the season, wreaks havoc across Ireland and parts of Scotland. Irish police confirmed the death in County Donegal is being treated as weather-related, while an amber warning for life-threatening winds remains in place for northern Scotland until Saturday evening.
In the Republic of Ireland, approximately 184,000 homes, farms, and businesses lost power by Friday afternoon, according to the Electricity Supply Board. Northern Ireland saw around 50,000 properties affected, with NIE Networks mobilising additional staff to manage repairs. All train lines in Northern Ireland were suspended, and flights at Belfast International and Belfast City airports faced disruptions.
Scotland experienced severe impacts, with a derelict building collapsing in Glasgow due to high winds. Network Rail Scotland reported over 60 incidents within the first two hours of the storm, including fallen trees on tracks. The Forth Road Bridge was closed to all vehicles, and ferry services between Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as to several Scottish islands, were cancelled.
The Met Office recorded a provisional October wind gust record for Northern Ireland of 92mph at Magilligan, County Derry. Forecasters warned that exposed parts of western Scotland could see gusts up to 100mph, with widespread winds of 60-70mph. The RNLI urged extreme caution near coasts, citing significant safety risks from flying debris and rough seas.
Storm Amy also prompted event cancellations, including the United Rugby Championship match between Edinburgh and Ulster. The Irish government issued a red wind warning for County Donegal, advising residents to shelter in place, while amber warnings covered several other counties. Schools in parts of Northern Ireland closed early as a precaution.
