Storm Kathleen causes disruption across UK and Ireland with flight cancellations and power outages

As Storm Kathleen swept across the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland on Saturday, April 6, the severe weather conditions led to a series of disruptions, including the cancellation of dozens of flights and extensive power outages. The Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning, anticipating the storm’s impact, which resulted in approximately 140 flight cancellations at UK airports. Dublin Airport advised travelers to consult with their airlines for the latest travel updates, as adverse weather conditions at other airports caused further cancellations and diversions.

In Ireland, the storm’s strong winds caused significant power outages, affecting around 34,000 homes, farms, and businesses. ESB Networks, the Irish power supplier, confirmed that their crews were actively responding to the power outages, prioritizing areas most impacted by the storm. The company reassured affected customers, stating, “ESB Networks crews are mobilised in impacted areas and responding to power outages where safe to do so.”

The storm also disrupted transportation services in Scotland, where rail and ferry operations faced severe challenges. Rail services had to implement temporary speed restrictions to ensure safety, while ferry services were disrupted due to the storm’s intensity. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued 18 regional alerts and 43 flood warnings, anticipating a weekend of heavy rain and high winds.

Vincent Fitzsimons, the flood duty manager at the agency, highlighted the severe weather’s expected impacts, including very high winds and coastal flooding, particularly in western areas of Scotland. “Impacts start in the Solway coast and Firth of Clyde on Saturday and then move around the coast to the eastern side of the country over the next few days,” Fitzsimons explained. He also emphasized the potential risks to communities in the Western Isles and Orkney, indicating that the storm’s effects would be felt throughout the weekend.

As Storm Kathleen continues to affect various parts of the UK and Ireland, emergency services and weather agencies are closely monitoring the situation, urging residents and travelers to stay informed and prepare for ongoing disruptions.