Storm Boelo, USA News (UK): Storm Boelo has brought flash floods and left thousands of homes without power as forecasters issue another weather warning for strong gales next week. The Met Office has already issued an amber weather warning across Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland, as powerful gales from Boelo are expected to continue battering the UK.
According to the Energy Networks Association, 82,600 customers across the UK were without power as of this morning. As of 4.30pm, the National Grid said 5,048 homes were without power in England and Wales. Maximum gust speeds of 85mph have already been recorded on the Isle of Wight according to the Met Office, with some flights in and out of Dublin airport cancelled on Saturday afternoon and train lines in western and northern Scotland closed due to flooding and fallen trees. Flood warnings are also in place in Cumbria, Merseyside and Greater Manchester. This comes as Andy Burnham warned that the UK could face “a winter of greater flooding” after Storm Austen brought disruption across the country.
Weather Warnings and Travel Disruption
Amber warnings for winds of up to 80mph run until 9pm today across the whole of Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland and northern England. Yellow weather warnings for wind are in place across the north of England and Wales until 9pm today, with the Met Office warning that “injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible”. A 60-year-old man in Castle Douglas in Dumfries, Scotland, was killed earlier today after being hit by a falling tree. Another yellow rain warning was in place until 3pm today around Inverness in Scotland, with 24 flood warnings and 84 less severe flood alerts in place. Train and ferry services have been cancelled in Scotland, with police warning against unnecessary road journeys.
Heavy downpours since 8am on Saturday have already seen rainfall totals of 72mm in White Barrow, Wiltshire, along with 43mm in Cwm Dyli, just south of the Snowdon range in North Wales, and Inveruglas on the west shore of Loch Lomond, Scotland. People are warned to stay away from cliff edges and back from stormy seas, and to secure objects from high winds. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution urged the public to stay vigilant and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
Forecast Ahead and Previous Storm Impacts
The effects of Boelo will soften as the evening draws in, with strong winds starting to ease overnight. Much of the UK will remain dry, with patches of frost possible in the north. On Monday, rain will start to sweep in across the north-east, with strong winds picking back up in the north later. Despite the gales, temperatures will stay mild throughout much of the day. Throughout the rest of the week, more wind and rain are expected, with the Met Office issuing a yellow weather warning for Scotland on Tuesday.
The National Grid confirmed on Friday night that they had restored power to more than 60,000 homes since Storm Austen began, with more than 31,000 homes without power in the south-west at one point. Flights were cancelled at Exeter airport on Friday, and huge sections of Brighton’s West Pier collapsed after being battered by waves. The English Channel saw severe weather with 84mph winds on Jersey, a red weather warning issued by Jersey Met, and school closures on Jersey and Guernsey. France was also affected, with 161,000 homes left without power.
