Storm Isha, a powerful winter storm, hit the UK on January 21, 2024, bringing 99mph gusts and causing widespread power cuts across the country. The storm affected various regions, including Northern Ireland, Scotland, and northern England, where a “tornado watch” zone was in place. The Met Office issued two amber wind alerts and a red warning for parts of northern Scotland until 9 am on January 22, 2024.
Impact on the UK
Storm Isha brought heavy rain and strong winds, with gusts of up to 80-90mph predicted. The storm caused travel disruption, with closures, cancellations, and diversions in flights, disruption to train services, and flood warnings placed in different areas. The Met Office warned that there was the potential for danger to life and damaging winds potentially leading to some power cuts.
Impact on Ireland
In Ireland, Storm Isha caused widespread damage to the electricity network, with approximately 45,000 customers without power as of around 10 pm on January 21, 2024. The west of the country bore the brunt of the storm, with many households suffering power outages, travel severely affected, and dangerous coastal conditions reported. The ESB worked to restore power where possible, but it was expected that many would be without power overnight.
Impact on Wales
In Wales, Storm Isha affected various areas, including Ystradgynlais, Caerphilly, RCT, the Neath Valley, Swansea, and Carmarthenshire. The remaining power cuts affected areas of Caerphilly, RCT, the Neath Valley, Swansea, and Carmarthenshire. The storm brought heavy rain and strong winds, with gusts of up to 80-90mph predicted.
Impact on Greater Manchester
In Greater Manchester, nearly 8,000 homes were without power due to Storm Isha. Stockport, Bolton, and Tameside were among the affected areas. The operator, Electricity North West, reported that 7,899 homes had been hit with power cuts.
Clean-up Efforts and Restoration
Clean-up efforts were underway in Ireland after Storm Isha swept through the country on January 21, 2024. The ESB worked to restore power where possible, but it was expected that many would be without power overnight. In Northern Ireland, the high winds brought by Storm Isha caused widespread damage to the electricity network, with approximately 45,000 customers without power as of around 10 pm on January 21, 2024. The ESB said that as of 8.35 pm, more than 170,000 homes, farms, and businesses were without power, with the expectation of further power outages overnight.
