90,000 UK Homes Still Dark After Storms

Northern UK power grids remain strained after back-to-back storms knocked out electricity for tens of thousands of homes. The Energy Networks Association reported on Monday that approximately 90,000 customers across northern regions still lack power. Forecasters indicate that a new front of strong winds will further complicate restoration efforts this week.

The disruption began as named storms Austen and Boelo hit the UK over the weekend. The weather systems caused widespread travel delays, localized flooding, and the cancellation of public events. Authorities confirmed two deaths resulting from the storms, including a 60-year-old man struck by a falling tree in Dumfries and Galloway and a man in his 20s in Finchley, north London.

The rapid succession of the two storms created a challenging environment for utility crews. Lawrence Slade, chief executive of the Energy Networks Association, noted on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that operators had to restore service to roughly 700,000 customers over the weekend. He described the period from Friday to Sunday as particularly difficult because Boelo followed immediately after Austen.

Sustained winds ranging from 50 to 70 mph, with gusts reaching 85 mph in northern Scotland, prevented engineers from safely replacing poles and rewiring lines. Slade explained that crews cannot work until the weather systems pass. The winds provided a brief lull on Monday, but the Met Office issued two yellow weather warnings for the coming hours.

The first warning covers western coastal areas from Cornwall to south-west Scotland, effective from 6 p.m. Monday until 3 a.m. Tuesday. Gusts of up to 65 mph are expected in exposed coastal zones, accompanied by heavy rain. The Met Office advised residents to exercise caution near cliffs and monitor strong waves.

A second warning covers most of Scotland from 3 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Forecasters predict widespread winds of 50 to 60 mph, with gusts up to 70 mph in the far north. The agency warned that these conditions could lead to further travel cancellations, road closures, and additional power outages.

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney met with senior politicians, emergency responders, and forecasters on Sunday to coordinate the response. On Monday, he posted on X that his condolences went to the families of the two individuals killed by Storm Boelo. He thanked emergency services for working through the night to keep people safe.

Flooding affected several communities during the weekend. In Largs town centre, residents described flood levels as the highest in 36 years. Staff at the Thai restaurant Tha-Tien-Thai shared video of their kitchen submerged in water, stating that the doors would remain closed for the foreseeable future due to larger flood restoration than originally planned.

Emergency services responded to a flooded care home in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, on Sunday evening. Police Scotland confirmed that all residents were accounted for and that road closures remained in place. Officers were scheduled to stay on site overnight to assist with the situation.

Transport networks experienced significant interruptions. Flights at Leeds Bradford, England’s highest airport, were diverted, and other flights were cancelled. Most train services had returned to normal operation by Monday, though operators advised passengers to check schedules before traveling. Racing events, including Sunday’s meeting at Aintree, were abandoned due to high winds.