90,000 UK Homes Dark as Second Storm Warning Issued for Scotland

About 90,000 properties across northern Britain had no power on Monday morning following a weekend of severe weather, with forecasters warning of another round of strong winds. The Energy Networks Association said network operators had restored power to about 700,000 customers over the weekend.

Storms Austen and Boelo struck in quick succession. Authorities reported two deaths caused by falling trees: a 60-year-old man in Dumfries and Galloway and a man in his 20s in Finchley, north London. Lawrence Slade, chief executive of the Energy Networks Association, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Friday through Sunday had been difficult. "It certainly was a tough one. One of the problems was how quickly Boelo followed after Austen," he said. Gusts reached 50 to 70mph widely, with peaks of 85mph in northern Scotland. "Until that weather system passes we can't safely get engineers out to replace poles, to get wires back up etc.," Slade said.

Conditions were milder on Monday, though the Met Office issued two yellow warnings. The first runs from 6pm Monday to 3am Tuesday for western coasts from Cornwall to south-west Scotland, with gusts up to 65mph and heavy rain at times. The second covers most of Scotland from 3am to 9pm Tuesday, forecasting 50 to 60mph winds and gusts up to 70mph in the far north, along with possible travel cancellations, road closures and further power cuts.

Scotland's first minister, John Swinney, met senior politicians, emergency teams and forecasters on Sunday. On Monday he wrote on X: "My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the two people who have tragically lost their lives as a result of Storm Boelo." He thanked emergency services for working through the night.

Flooding affected several areas. Emergency services attended a flooded care home in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, on Sunday evening; Police Scotland said everyone there was accounted for and road closures were in place. In Largs town centre, floodwater moved through the streets, and a resident said it was the highest she had seen in 36 years. Staff at the Thai restaurant Tha-Tien-Thai posted video of their flooded kitchen and said the business would remain closed while flood restoration continues. Travel was disrupted as well: some flights were diverted from Leeds Bradford and others cancelled, Sunday racing at Aintree was abandoned due to high winds, and train operators advised passengers to check before travelling. A second yellow warning for Scotland takes effect at 3am Tuesday.

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