UK storms leave 90,000 homes dark

Storms Austen and Boelo hit the United Kingdom over the weekend, leaving approximately 90,000 properties in northern regions without electricity as of Monday morning.

The Energy Networks Association, which represents UK and Irish grid operators, reported that crews had restored power to about 700,000 customers over the three-day period. Lawrence Slade, the association’s chief executive, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the rapid succession of the two storms created a difficult recovery effort. He noted that sustained winds of 50 to 70 miles per hour, reaching up to 85 miles per hour in northern Scotland, prevented engineers from safely replacing poles and repairing wires.

Authorities confirmed two deaths resulting from the weather events. A 60-year-old man in Dumfries and Galloway was struck by a falling tree, while a man in his 20s died in Finchley, north London. The storms also caused flooding in several areas, including Largs town centre, where one resident described the water levels as the highest seen in 36 years. A local restaurant, Tha-Tien-Thai, reported its kitchen was overrun with water and said it would remain closed for an extended period due to the scale of the restoration work.

Emergency services responded to a flooded care home in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, on Sunday evening. Police Scotland stated that all occupants were accounted for and that officers would remain on site overnight to assist. Travel disruptions affected air and rail networks, with flights diverted from Leeds Bradford airport and train operators advising passengers to verify service status before traveling. The high winds also forced the cancellation of Sunday racing at Aintree.

The Met Office issued two yellow weather warnings for Tuesday. The first, active from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m., covers western coastal areas from Cornwall to south-west Scotland, with gusts up to 65 miles per hour. The second warning, from 3 a.m. to 9 p.m., covers most of Scotland, where widespread winds of 50 to 60 miles per hour and gusts up to 70 miles per hour are expected. Forecasters warned of potential travel cancellations, road closures, and additional power outages.

Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, met with senior politicians and emergency teams on Sunday to coordinate the response. On Monday, Swinney posted on X that he offered condolences to the families of the two victims and thanked emergency services for their overnight efforts. He noted that the response would continue as the weather system evolves.

The Met Office expects the milder conditions of Monday to give way to the new storm front early Tuesday morning. The two yellow warnings remain in effect, prompting residents in exposed coastal areas to monitor conditions near cliffs and beaches.