Emergency crews launched cleanup operations in Ireland and Scotland on Saturday after Storm Éowyn brought record-breaking winds, resulting in at least one fatality and over a million people without electricity. The storm generated winds reaching up to 114 mph (183 kph), especially impactful on the west coast of Ireland, where infrastructure suffered severe damage. Notably, a tree tragically fell on a vehicle in County Donegal, claiming the life of 20-year-old Kacper Dudek, according to local authorities, and a similar incident occurred in Scotland claiming one more life.

As Ireland faced the brunt of the storm's fury, local officials reported that restoration efforts are underway but expected to take some time, with current evaluations showing more than 300,000 homes still lacking power as of Sunday, down from a peak of 768,000. The electric company, ESB Networks, warned that full restoration could take up to two weeks as crews work tirelessly alongside the military and additional technicians called in from England and France.

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin emphasized the unprecedented nature of the destruction caused by the storm, stating, "every effort is being made to get high voltage transmission lines up and running, homes reconnected, and water supplies secured." The impact of Storm Éowyn was felt throughout the region, with schools closed and public transport heavily disrupted, leading to the cancellation of over 1,100 flights.

Adding to the difficult situation, another system named Storm Herminia brought further winds and rain to the UK and Ireland, complicating cleanup efforts. As the storm's energy manifested, climate change parallels emerged, with scientists warning of increasingly severe weather due to human-induced global warming. "As the climate gets warmer, we can expect these storms to become even more intense," noted Hayley Fowler, a climate change expert.

For more in-depth coverage of Storm Éowyn and its aftermath, click on SCMP, AP News, and NPR.