Storm Doris does damage as it hits British Isles

LONDON — Storm Doris slammed into the British Isles on Thursday (Feb 23), causing flight disruptions at Europe’s busiest air hub and train cancellations.

Around 10 per cent of flights were scrapped at London Heathrow Airport, while wind speeds of 94 miles (151km) per hour were recorded in Wales.

Britain’s Met Office national weather service said “damage to structures, interruptions to power supplies and widespread disruption to travel networks are likely, with a danger of injury from flying debris” as the storm passes through.

Storm Doris was heading from the Atlantic Ocean eastwards across the British Isles but was expected to clear the east coast around sunset.

The highest wind speeds were recorded at Capel Curig near Snowdon, Wales’s highest mountain.

Wind speeds of 87mph (140kph) were also recorded at Mace Head in County Galway on Ireland’s Atlantic west coast.

Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus cancelled 12 flights between Britain and Ireland.

Meanwhile a Heathrow spokesman said: “Strong winds and poor weather across the UK have resulted in approximately a 10 per cent reduction to Heathrow’s flight schedule.”

Speed limits of 50mph (80kph) were imposed on several train lines in Britain, while some roads were shut due to strong winds and snow.

The Port of Liverpool in northwest England was closed due to the winds, while some ferry services to Scotland’s west coast islands were disrupted.

The Republic of Ireland’s state Electricity Supply Board said some 41,000 customers were without power due to 924 separate faults, with high winds and falling timber damaging electricity lines.

In neighbouring Northern Ireland, NIE Networks said they had restored electricity to around 14,000 customers, while around 7,000 were still without power. AFP