Storm Boelo Batters the UK: 80mph Gusts, Flights and Events Cancelled, Flood Warnings Issued

Storm Boelo has hit the United Kingdom, bringing strong winds and heavy rain that have disrupted travel, cancelled events and triggered flood alerts across parts of the country. The fresh deluge comes after Storm Austen brought strong winds to many regions on Friday.

Amber weather warnings from the Met Office came into force at 9pm on Saturday. Areas in the warning zone, including Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and the far north of England, were braced for gusts of 60 to 70mph, and even 80mph in exposed coastal spots.

Maximum gust speeds of 75mph had already hit South Uist Range in the Western Isles, in Highland and Eilean Siar, Scotland, on Saturday, according to the Met Office, which has also issued several yellow warnings for rain.

Storm Boelo follows Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, which brought strong winds to parts of the UK on Friday. Gusts of 76mph were recorded at St Mary's airport in the Isles of Scilly, 74mph at Aberporth in south-west Wales and 71mph at Culdrose in Cornwall.

Heavy downpours since 8am on Saturday had already brought rainfall totals of 72mm in White Barrow, Wiltshire, along with 43mm in Cwm Dyli, just south of the Snowdon range in North Wales, and 43mm at Inveruglas on the west shore of Loch Lomond in Scotland.

Hundreds of homes were still without power in south-west England after Storm Austen hit the region on Friday. The National Grid said power had been restored to 131,225 properties by 7pm on Saturday.

An amber wind warning, the Met Office's second most severe, is active across Scotland and the north of England down to Carlisle from 9pm on Saturday to the same time on Sunday. A further amber warning runs from 9pm on Saturday to 10am on Sunday in the north-east of Northern Ireland.

Storm Boelo, the second named storm of the season, will bring a danger to life from flying debris and crashing waves, the forecaster said, and people should stay indoors as much as possible.

Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said: “Storm Boelo will be felt across the UK this weekend, with the strongest winds and greatest potential for disruption in the north.” He said strong winds would also affect other parts of the UK, with gusts of 50 to 60mph possible, and that heavy rain would provide an additional hazard, particularly in the north. People should prepare for disruption, particularly to travel and power supplies, he advised.

The storm has already caused widespread disruption. Strong winds disrupted flights at Dublin airport, where by 4pm on Saturday nine outbound and 10 inbound flights had been cancelled by airlines because of weather issues. Six inbound flights performed go-arounds — five landed on the second attempt, while the other diverted to another airport before returning a short time later.

Network Rail shared images of a trampoline beneath a train and a shed by the tracks, in a call for those living near rail lines to secure their garden furniture firmly.

Visit Liverpool announced that the region's River of Light event, featuring illuminated artwork, had been cancelled in the interests of safety. London's annual Diwali on the Square celebrations this Sunday were also cancelled on the recommendation of independent health and safety experts in light of the storm. Other attractions closed on Sunday include Edinburgh Castle and the Fountains Abbey estate in North Yorkshire, which was due to host its Fountains by Floodlight event.

The Environment Agency had issued 58 alerts for spots across England where flooding is possible by 8pm on Saturday, as well as 12 warnings stating that flooding is expected. With the storm's effects expected to last into Sunday, residents have been urged to keep an eye on the latest forecasts and warnings.