90,000 UK Homes Still Dark as Second Storm Warning Issued

About 90,000 properties across northern parts of the UK remained without electricity on Monday morning, days after Storms Austen and Boelo moved through. The Energy Networks Association said its operators had restored power to roughly 700,000 customers over the weekend.

The two storms arrived in quick succession. Gusts reached 50 to 70mph widely, with readings of up to 85mph in northern Scotland. Lawrence Slade, chief executive of the Energy Networks Association, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Friday through Sunday were especially difficult. "It certainly was a tough one. One of the problems was how quickly Boelo followed after Austen," he said. Slade added: "Until that weather system passes we can't safely get engineers out to replace poles, to get wires back up etc."

The storms brought flooding, travel disruption and event cancellations. Authorities confirmed two deaths from falling trees: a 60-year-old in Dumfries and Galloway and a man in his 20s in Finchley, north London. Scotland's first minister, John Swinney, met emergency teams and forecasters on Sunday. He posted on X on Monday: "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."

Flooding affected several areas. Video from Largs town centre showed water moving through the streets, and one resident there said it was the highest level she had seen in 36 years. Staff at the Tha-Tien-Thai restaurant posted footage of a flooded kitchen with the caption "There is nothing left" and said the business would stay closed. Police Scotland responded to a flooded care home in Saltcoats on Sunday evening and said everyone inside was accounted for. Some flights were diverted from Leeds Bradford and others cancelled, Sunday racing at Aintree was called off, and most train services were returning to normal.

The Met Office issued two yellow weather warnings after milder conditions returned on Monday. 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 winds of 50 to 60mph with gusts up to 70mph in the far north. Forecasters said travel cancellations, road closures and further power cuts were possible.

Slade told the BBC that engineers could not safely replace poles or restring wires while the winds continued.