Storm Isha continues to wreak havoc, leading to the deaths of three people and leaving thousands without power. The Met Office issued wind warnings for the entire UK as gusts surpassed 100mph in some areas. Transport Scotland reported a record gust of 107mph on the Tay Bridge, while Brizlee Wood in Northumberland experienced winds of 99mph.
Tragedy struck in Grangemouth, Falkirk, where an 84-year-old man died in a car crash caused by a fallen tree. Police Scotland confirmed that the man, a front seat passenger, was declared dead at the scene. The other occupants of the vehicle were unharmed. In Ireland, two separate road incidents attributed to the storm claimed two more lives. These incidents involved a man in his 40s in Mayo and a woman in her 20s in Co Louth.
Storm Isha, which began battering the UK and Ireland on Sunday, has led to “unusual” danger-to-life wind warnings due to its intensity. The Met Office issued two amber wind alerts across the UK and a Status Red wind warning for several counties in the Republic of Ireland.
Transportation has been severely affected, with rail, sea, and air travel facing significant disruptions. Key bridges and roads were closed, and Network Rail imposed 50mph speed restrictions to ensure safety. Rail services, including Scot Rail’s rush-hour trains, faced cancellations and delays, with recovery works ongoing.
Air travel wasn’t spared, with air traffic control restrictions causing flight cancellations and diversions. Ferry services across the Irish Sea and the English Channel also faced cancellations.
Power outages are widespread, with Northern Ireland Electricity Networks reporting 45,000 customers without power and similar issues in north-west England and the Republic of Ireland. Fallen trees and debris have caused road closures and transport issues, including on the M9, M74, and A1 southbound.
The Met Office has warned that the impact of Storm Isha is far-reaching, affecting the entire country. The next storm, named Jocelyn by the Irish Meteorological Service, is expected to bring strong winds from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
Storm Isha is part of a series of named storms affecting the UK and Ireland, with the Met Office attributing the increased storm activity to a more active jet stream influenced by cold Arctic air pushing south into North America. This year is on track to set a new record for the number of named storms if the trend continues.
