Hurricane Gordon Slams Ireland and U.K.

Tropical Storm Update: Ireland/England
Sept 22, 2006
Thousands of householders will be without electricity until tomorrow after the tail end of Hurricane Gordon lashed parts of the UK, bringing down power lines.
One of the worst affected areas was Northern Ireland, where the wind batterned the province for many hours at speeds of up to 74mph. Roads were blocked by fallen trees and tens of thousands of homes were without electricity.
Northern Ireland Electricity said supplies to over 100,000 customers were hit. Staff worked through the night and managed to restore power to 50,000 homes but a spokesman said he would not be surprised if it was Saturday before everyone was back on.
The worst affected areas were Mid Ulster, Craigavon and Newry, with parts of south Belfast also hit.
The South West of England was also battered by winds reaching more than 80mph. An Atlantic storm fuelled by the end of Hurricane Gordon hit the region, bringing down trees and tearing some boats from their moorings. (photo above: A collapsed tree in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, which bore the brunt of Gordon.)