Thousands remain without power, and travel disruptions persist as recovery efforts continue.
Scotland battles severe travel disruptions and power outages after Storm Éowyn. Thousands remain without electricity, and transport services face significant challenges due to widespread damage.
Power Outages Impact Thousands of Homes
In the aftermath of Storm Éowyn, Scotland is grappling with widespread power outages and extensive damage. As of Saturday evening, around 35,000 homes remained without electricity, with some residents warned it could take days for full restoration. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) reported they had restored power to over 75,000 customers, while Scottish Power had reconnected nearly 192,000 properties. However, repair efforts continue to face setbacks due to persistent high winds, snow, and debris across affected areas. First Minister John Swinney acknowledged the challenges ahead, urging patience as crews work to repair the extensive damage. Meanwhile, Police Scotland confirmed responding to nearly 1,900 weather-related incidents, underscoring the storm’s severe impact on communities.
Transport Services Severely Disrupted
Travel chaos remains a key issue, with Scotland’s railways and ferry services facing significant disruptions. ScotRail has reported “extensive damage” to overhead power lines and over 400 incidents of railway damage, including debris and fallen trees blocking tracks. Despite progress on some routes, the majority of rail services remain suspended. Ferry operator CalMac has announced cancellations and altered timetables across multiple routes, while local and trunk roads continue to experience closures due to flooding. With two yellow weather warnings for snow, ice, and strong winds in place, authorities are urging travelers to check schedules and updates before venturing out. Recovery efforts are expected to stretch into the coming days, as Scotland works to restore normalcy after the devastating storm.