Concerned citizen sparks debate after recounting baffling behavior during recent major storm: 'It was really dangerous'

Cutting-edge technology has rapidly improved government storm warning systems to help people prepare for extreme storms. 

Unfortunately, despite these advancements, some people still minimize the risks of natural disasters and spread misinformation on social media. 

As one Reddit user shared in a post to r/Scotland, this situation occurred during a recent extratropical cyclone that hit Ireland and the UK in late January. 

"Why do some people act like Storm Éowyn was 'just a little wind'?" the OP wrote. "With the government putting out alerts and red weather warnings, where does this mentality come from?"

The BBC reported unprecedented tree damage from Storm Éowyn's extreme winds, which exceeded 90 miles per hour. The storm destroyed tens of thousands of trees, more than would usually be knocked down over an entire year. 

The UK's national meteorological service, Met Office, said that Storm Éowyn was the most powerful windstorm in the UK for over a decade, with a 100mph gust recorded at Drumalbin. 

It was understandably confusing for residents in the storm's path to read amateur opinions contradicting fact-based meteorological predictions. 

Spreading personal views based on skepticism and misinformation can influence vulnerable populations to believe they don't need to take precautions during extreme weather. However, preparing for a storm can mean the difference between life and death when winds reach the level of Storm Éowyn. 

Fortunately, many people are starting to learn about storm prediction technology and heed the warnings of modern forecasting systems. 

Experts are finding better ways to use past data to predict extreme storms and using specialized instruments to learn more about how storms move. Early warning systems are often our best defense against climate shifts and storms' increased frequency and intensity. 

What would you do if natural disasters were threatening your home? Move somewhere else 🌎 Reinforce my home 🏠 Nothing 🤷 This is happening already 😬 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Fellow Reddit users were also frustrated about the public response to Storm Éowyn and shared their feedback in the comments of the OP's post. 

"By reducing the number of people out, we reduced the number of casualties, which is what the general public doesn't seem to understand," one Redditor commented. "It's a risk assessment." 

"People died," a Reddit user pointed out. "It wasn't just a little wind. It was really dangerous in some places, especially Saltcoats, Irvine, and Largs."

Someone else added, "By not following advice, you're potentially putting further strain onto already stretched resources if they need to help you too."

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.