90,000 UK Homes Still Dark as New Winds Loom

Approximately 90,000 properties in northern Britain remained without electricity on Monday morning following a weekend of severe weather. Forecasters indicated that additional strong winds were expected, complicating restoration efforts that had already been hindered by rapid back-to-back storms.

Storms Austen and Boelo struck in quick succession, causing widespread travel disruption, flooding, power cuts, and event cancellations. Authorities confirmed two deaths linked to the weather. A 60-year-old man in Dumfries and Galloway and a man in his 20s in Finchley, north London, were both killed after being hit by falling trees.

Lawrence Slade, chief executive of the Energy Networks Association, stated that operators restored power to about 700,000 customers over the weekend. He noted to BBC Radio 4 that the period from Friday through Sunday was particularly challenging because the winds never fully abated. Gusts reached 50 to 70 miles per hour in many areas and up to 85 miles per hour in northern Scotland. Slade explained that engineers could not safely replace poles or restore wires until the weather system passed.

Conditions improved on Monday, but the Met Office issued two yellow weather warnings. The first warning, covering western coastal areas from Cornwall to south-west Scotland from 6 p.m. Monday to 3 a.m. Tuesday, predicted gusts up to 65 miles per hour and heavy rain. The second warning, covering most of Scotland from 3 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, forecast widespread winds of 50 to 60 miles per hour with gusts up to 70 miles per hour in the far north. Forecasters warned of possible travel cancellations, road closures, and further power outages.

Scottish First Minister John Swinney met with senior politicians, emergency teams, and forecasters on Sunday. On Monday, he posted on X to express condolences to the families of the two deceased individuals. He also thanked emergency services for working through the night. In Largs, a resident described floodwater in the town center as the highest she had seen in 36 years of living there.

A Thai restaurant in Largs, named Tha-Tien-Thai, shared video of its flooded kitchen, stating that the business would remain closed because flood restoration was larger than initially planned. Police Scotland reported that everyone in a flooded care home in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, was accounted for on Sunday evening. Officers were expected to remain on site overnight while road closures were maintained.

Travel disruptions continued across the region. Some flights were diverted from Leeds Bradford, England's highest airport, while others were cancelled. Most train services were returning to normal, though operators advised passengers to check before traveling. Sunday horse racing at Aintree was abandoned due to high winds, and a goalless draw between Sunderland and Leeds concluded with the wind cited as the deciding factor.