Storm Ashley caused disruption across northern Scotland and the Western Isles on Sunday, with winds of up to 80mph recorded. The injured passenger was airlifted from a ferry between Aberdeen and Orkney after falling on board in rough conditions. On Aberdeen Beach, a man, woman, and young boy were hospitalized after getting into difficulty in the sea amid “unsafe conditions.”
The Environment Agency Sepa had issued a series of flood warnings across the affected areas. Ferry operator CalMac cancelled most of its Sunday sailings, while P&O Ferries cancelled sailings between Larne and Cairnryan. Dozens of flights were cancelled at Belfast City Airport and Dublin Airport, majorly affecting Aer Lingus flights. Some trains in Scotland were cancelled, with many routes subject to speed restrictions.
ScotRail paused services between Kilwinning and Largs/Ardrossan due to waves coming over the sea wall at Saltcoats. Meteorologists say Storm Ashley, the first named storm of the season, saw a rapid drop of pressure as it moved in from the Atlantic on Saturday – a phenomenon called a “weather bomb.”
On Sunday, police cordoned off an area of Aberdeen beach after three people got into difficulty. The Coastguard and the Scottish Ambulance Service attended and urged the public to leave the beach. Police Scotland said the three people managed to exit the water in “exceptional weather” and had been checked over in the hospital.
A cleanup is set to begin on Monday following the storm. Western Ferries also suspended services on Sunday evening due to worsening weather conditions, which cut off services to islands such as Arran, Bute, Lewis, and Harris. ScotRail warned that services on Monday could also be impacted by debris and fallen trees on the track
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