Storm Kathleen continued to batter Scotland and Ireland through Sunday, causing significant travel disruptions and damage. In Scotland, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) issued 18 regional flood alerts and 37 flood warnings, effective since Saturday.
The Met Office also put out a yellow wind warning from 9 am Sunday for parts of the west and northern Highlands, the Isle of Skye, and the Hebrides, lasting until midnight. Winds reached up to 73mph in Drumalbin, South Lanarkshire.
A previous warning covered areas from the Scottish Borders to just south of Stirling, extending along the west coast and much of central Scotland, stopping short of the east coast.
Power outages and ferry cancellations impact thousands as Storm Kathleen continues to rage.Sepa’s flood duty manager, Janine Hensman, highlighted the dangers of high tides, storm surges, and large waves, especially around coastal areas, causeways, and coastal roads. She advised staying clear of these areas and avoiding travel through flood water due to potential hidden hazards.
While Storm Kathleen is expected to ease by Sunday evening, another weather system could bring significant flooding to southern, central, and north-eastern areas on Tuesday, with continued coastal flooding due to high spring tides. Sepa and the Met Office are closely monitoring the situation, urging people to stay updated through their website.
The storm caused power outages, affecting about 34,000 people on Saturday, though most had their electricity restored by Sunday afternoon.
CalMac, Scotland’s main ferry operator, canceled several services, and others faced delays. ScotRail experienced disruptions, but services began to normalize later in the day. Over 140 flights were canceled across the UK.
In Ireland, a girl was rescued from the sea near Dún Laoghaire harbor in County Dublin after being swept out by the storm. Rescuers managed to retrieve her quickly, and she was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Titanic Belfast also had to close after strong winds damaged its roof.