Storm Amy, the first named storm of the season, has caused widespread disruption across the UK and Ireland, leaving one person dead and hundreds of thousands without power. Irish police confirmed the death of a man in County Donegal as weather-related, while power outages affected approximately 184,000 properties in the Republic of Ireland and 50,000 in Northern Ireland.
Air travel faced significant disruption, with Belfast International Airport and Belfast City Airport advising passengers to check flight statuses. Ferry sailings between Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as to several Scottish islands, were cancelled. All train lines in Northern Ireland were closed, and Network Rail Scotland reported over 60 incidents within the first two hours of the storm.
An amber weather warning, highlighting a danger to life, remains in place in northern Scotland until 9pm Saturday. Winds could reach 100mph in exposed parts of western Scotland, with gusts of 60-70mph more widespread. The Met Office recorded a provisional October wind gust record for Northern Ireland at 92mph in Magilligan, County Derry.
In Scotland, 25 flood warnings and 17 flood alerts were issued. A derelict building collapsed in Glasgow due to high winds, and power cuts were reported in the Highlands. The Forth Road Bridge was closed to all vehicles, and the United Rugby Championship match between Edinburgh and Ulster was cancelled.
In Ireland, schools in several counties closed early, and a red wind warning was issued for County Donegal, with residents advised to shelter in place. The RNLI urged extreme caution along coasts, warning of significant risks from flying debris and high seas.
