Storm Eowyn update

Greetings from the heart of the Scottish Red Zone from today.

Our red alert has just dropped to amber. Trains, buses and ferries all off today. Webcams on the roads have shown deserted motorways. Schools and offices closed. Glancing out of the window throughout the day the main road near me was quieter than it was during lockdown.

I'm about 30 miles (if that) outside the extended red zone. I watched a 50 year old tree on public land come down right outside my front window earlier. It literally just missed someone driving by, by just a second or two.
Less than 5 minutes walk away a row of garages (thankfully) had their roofs torn off- debris everywhere but given the number of houses in the vicinity that was massive good fortune.
Both a bit too close for comfort, for my liking.
Down at the harbour I've seen photographs (from a press photographer and a friend who drove down there) showing waves breaking at least ten feet over our lighthouses- as they are at least 30 feet above sea level that is a pretty good swell running. I've seen similar before in other big storms, but one of the more spectacular incidents. The last time waves were that high the Sea Cadets building at harbourside was literally washed away.
A lively day, but nothing compared to Ireland which appears to have come off worst.

Yes, I think Ireland came off worse as well.

This also shows that it is the west and Atlantic side of these islands that tend to come off worse in these storms. You can see it in where the cities, towns, and villages are. On the west coasts they are sheltered into harbours and up estuaries in a way they are not on the east.

This can also be seen on the islands where the main settlements are sheltered from the Atlantic as much as possible.

I’ve been sitting it out at a hotel at Glasgow airport today. A lamppost in the hotel car park blew over and the hotel sign blew away. The M8 was near empty of traffics as folks headed the red warning. Interesting watching flight updates and flight radar to see flights diverted away from Glasgow. Only Ryanair were even trying to get here but all their flights earlier were diverted. Just seen the first Easy jet land. Fingers crossed for a BA departure to LHR and then DEN tomorrow.

Hotel is full of Scots wanting to get to the Canary Islands for their winter sun!

Our room is on the end of the building and the noise of the wind was incredible. The building seemed to shake a few times.

I’m impressed at the hotel staff dealing with a full hotel of passengers who expected to be elsewhere, with no food deliveries today, yet managing to serve everyone dinner with a smile and typically Glaswegian humour and kindness.

So sorry for all of you going through this. Hopefully everyone you know stays safe; I know it will take a while for recovery.

Please take care of yourselves over there! Thinking about you through this powerful storm.

There are videos out there from the TV companies on YouTube, which as someone in Glasgow that name always raises a smile, of the storm.

Today was clean up. Lucky here, only the rubbish bins got blown around the garden no loose tiles. But power is off for some places locally still, and some places in the Scottish Power area are not expected to be reconnected until tomorrow, so 48 hours.

Glad to hear maybe the worst is over. As cruddy as the weather situation is over there, I would trade being in Scotland for being here rn. We’re dealing with our own storm if you know what I mean.

Hi, Mustlovedogs,

Agree 100 percent!

Stay sane out there!

Mike (Auchterless)

It’s hard Mike. This week’s weather has been brutal. I’m more ready to travel than I have ever been!

Hi again, Mustlovedogs,

You're right about the weather being brutal. These past six days have been about the worst I can remember!

Hope the weather is a bit better wherever you are!

Mike (Auchterless)