90,000 UK Homes Dark After Storms

Approximately 90,000 properties in the United Kingdom remained without electricity on Monday morning following two consecutive storms.

Storms Austen and Boelo struck in rapid succession, causing widespread flooding, travel disruptions, and event cancellations across the country. Authorities confirmed that two men died after being struck by falling trees. One victim was a 60-year-old man in Dumfries and Galloway. The other was a man in his 20s in Finchley, north London.

The Energy Networks Association reported that operators restored power to about 700,000 customers over the weekend. Lawrence Slade, the group’s chief executive, described the previous three days as particularly difficult. He noted on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the speed at which Storm Boelo followed Storm Austen complicated the response. Slade explained that winds did not ease, with gusts reaching 50 to 70 miles per hour in many areas and up to 85 miles per hour in northern Scotland. Engineers could not safely replace poles or restore wires until the weather system passed.

Monday brought milder conditions, but the Met Office issued two yellow weather warnings. The first covers western coastal areas from Cornwall to south-west Scotland from 6 p.m. Monday to 3 a.m. Tuesday. Gusts of up to 65 miles per hour are expected, along with heavy rain. The second warning covers most of Scotland from 3 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Winds of 50 to 60 miles per hour are likely, with gusts up to 70 miles per hour in the far north. Forecasters warned that further travel cancellations, road closures, and power cuts are possible.

John Swinney, Scotland’s first minister, met with senior politicians and emergency teams on Sunday. He posted on X on Monday offering condolences to the families of the two men killed by the storms. He also thanked emergency services for working through the night.

Floodwater rushed through the streets of Largs town centre, where a resident said it was the highest she had seen in 36 years. Staff at the Thai restaurant Tha-Tien-Thai shared video of their flooded kitchen and stated the business would remain closed while restoration efforts continued. Emergency services responded to a flooded care home in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, on Sunday evening. Police Scotland said all residents were accounted for and officers expected to stay on site overnight.

Travel disruptions included diverted and cancelled flights at Leeds Bradford, England’s highest airport. Most train services were returning to normal, though operators advised passengers to check schedules. Sunday horse racing at Aintree was abandoned due to high winds.