Storm Boelo batters UK: one dead, 82,000 properties without power

Fatality and severe winds

A 60-year-old man died on Sunday morning after a tree fell near Castle Douglas in Scotland. Police Scotland said he was pronounced dead at the scene, that there were no suspicious circumstances and that a report would be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

The Met Office said winds widely reached 60-70mph in areas covered by an amber warning that began at 9pm on Saturday. Gusts of up to 84mph were reported. Storm Boelo continued to affect Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England.

Power outages and repair work

The Energy Networks Association said ongoing severe weather was restricting when engineers could safely begin restoration work in some areas, and access remained difficult in places. Engineers were working around the clock to locate and repair faults.

Closures and flood warnings

Edinburgh Castle closed on Sunday because of high winds and adverse weather. The Fountains Abbey estate in North Yorkshire also shut for the day after its Fountains by Floodlight event was cancelled on Saturday evening.

At 1.45pm, the Environment Agency had issued six warnings that flooding was expected in parts of northern England and 50 alerts that flooding was possible. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency reported 17 flood warnings and 11 flood alerts in force at the same time.

Safety and travel disruption

The Met Office urged people in affected areas to secure loose garden items and remain indoors, warning that flying debris and crashing waves could pose a danger to life. It also said heavy rain would bring an additional hazard, particularly in the north.

Network Rail shared images showing a trampoline beneath a train and a shed beside the tracks, and reminded people near rail lines to secure items in their gardens. Yellow wind warnings extended beyond the amber zone to parts of southern England, north Wales and all of Northern Ireland.