Key Points
- Storm Amy, the first named storm of the 2025-2026 season, brought severe weather across the UK on 3–4 October, with wind gusts reaching 92mph in Co Londonderry.
- Heavy rainfall caused flooding between Bolton and Blackburn, blocking all lines and leading to delays, cancellations, and revised services on 3 October.
- Northern Rail services faced widespread disruption, particularly on routes between Preston and Blackpool North, with obstructions reported and delays expected until 14:30 on 4 October.
- At its peak, approximately 65,000 homes in Northern Ireland lost power, with 9,000 still without electricity by 4 October; 87,000 homes in the Republic of Ireland remained affected.
- A man in his 40s died in a weather-related incident in Co Donegal, Republic of Ireland, marking the first fatality linked to Storm Amy.
- The Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for rain and wind across Northern Ireland, Scotland, and parts of northern and western England, with an amber warning initially in place for Scotland.
- Translink train lines in Northern Ireland remained suspended, with a phased return expected from midday on 4 October, while flights at Belfast City and Dublin airports were cancelled.i
- Network Rail reported over 60 incidents on the rail network within the first two hours of the storm, including flooding, fallen trees on overhead lines, and debris on tracks.
- ScotRail suspended all services to and from Glasgow Central due to safety concerns, with recovery efforts expected to continue into Saturday morning.
- NIE Networks warned that full power restoration could take several days, citing the ongoing yellow weather alert and comparing the situation to previous storms like Storm Darragh.
Inverted Pyramid: Storm Amy’s Impact on UK Transport and Infrastructure
As reported by ITV News UTV, Storm Amy has continued to cause widespread disruption to Northern Ireland on Saturday as 9,000 homes remain without power and Translink train lines remained closed. The storm, named by the Met Office as the first of the season, brought violent winds and torrential rain across the UK from 3 October, severely affecting rail, air, and road networks, particularly in northern England, Scotland, and Ireland.
According to the Met Office, the highest recorded gust reached 92mph at Magilligan in Co Londonderry on Friday, 3 October, contributing to extensive damage and power outages. In the Republic of Ireland, emergency services confirmed the death of a man in his 40s in a weather-related incident in Co Donegal, underscoring the storm’s deadly potential.
What Caused the Train Disruptions in Bolton?
Heavy rainfall caused significant flooding between Bolton and Blackburn, resulting in all rail lines being blocked, as confirmed by National Rail Enquiries on 3 October. The incident, reported at 16:01 BST, led to train delays of up to 15 minutes, cancellations, or revised services, with disruption expected until 18:00 that day.
Northern Rail issued a service alteration notice, advising passengers to check their journeys via the real-time Journey Planner and noting that compensation may be available for those delayed. The flooding was part of broader weather-related disruptions affecting multiple routes across northern England.
How Did Storm Amy Affect Northern Rail Services?
As reported by National Rail, Storm Amy brought very strong winds and heavy rain to the East of England, causing widespread disruption to Northern services on 4 October. A yellow weather warning was in effect, with Network Rail’s weather team monitoring the storm’s path and coordinating with operators.
An obstruction on the track between Preston and Blackpool North led to blocked lines, with trains revised or cancelled and disruption expected until 14:30. Passengers were advised to use Blackpool Transport bus services as alternatives, with ticket restrictions lifted across affected areas to allow travel on Northern, TransPennine Express, or LNER services within a two-hour window of their original departure.
What Was the Extent of Power Outages Across the UK?
At its peak, Storm Amy caused power loss to approximately 65,000 customers in Northern Ireland, with 9,000 homes still without electricity by Saturday morning, according to ITV News UTV. In the Republic of Ireland, 87,000 customers remained without power as the yellow warning continued.
Alex Houston, NIE Networks operations manager, stated:
“This is still an evolving picture, given the ongoing yellow alert, however we anticipate it may take a number of days before the restoration process fully concludes based on similar events such as Storm Darragh”.
The PSNI urged caution, warning of ongoing risks from surface water, fallen debris, and temporary restrictions.
Were There Any Fatalities or Major Safety Concerns?
A man in his 40s died in a weather-related incident in Co Donegal, Republic of Ireland, as confirmed by emergency services and reported by ITV News UTV. The incident marks the first confirmed fatality linked to Storm Amy, highlighting the dangers posed by extreme weather conditions.
The PSNI continued to urge caution, stating:
“Storm Amy clean-up operations will be intensifying this morning as multiple agencies work to restore the power, water and transport networks for all users across Northern Ireland”.
NIE Networks also advised the public to stay clear of downed power lines and report any incidents immediately.
How Are Authorities Responding to the Crisis?
Network Rail described the storm’s impact as greater than predicted, reporting over 60 incidents on the rail network within the first two hours, including flooding, fallen trees on overhead lines, and debris on tracks. A spokesperson said:
“The safety of passengers and colleagues is priority, which is why all services to and from Glasgow Central have been suspended at this time”.
ScotRail advised customers to check their journeys via the website, app, or social media, while the Met Office’s chief forecaster, Neil Armstrong, stated:
“Storm Amy will be an impactful autumn storm for many in Scotland and Northern Ireland, though impacts will also spread to north-west England and Wales, as well as a more widespread windy period for the rest of the UK”.
Belfast Zoo announced it would remain closed on Saturday due to safety concerns, and multiple ferry sailings between Northern Ireland and Scotland were cancelled, with delays expected to persist.