90,000 homes still dark as British storms roll through again

Ninety thousand customers across northern parts of the United Kingdom remained without electricity on Monday morning after two consecutive storms swept through the region over the weekend.

The Energy Networks Association, which represents power operators in the UK and Ireland, provided that figure on Monday. The group’s chief executive, Lawrence Slade, said the disruption was extensive. Operators worked to restore service to approximately 700,000 customers over the preceding days. Slade noted that the rapid succession of storms named Austen and Boelo created a difficult operational environment for crews.

Strong winds were a primary obstacle for repair teams. Gusts reached 50 to 70 miles per hour in many areas, with speeds hitting 85 miles per hour in northern Scotland. Slade explained that engineers could not safely replace poles or reattach wires until the weather systems passed.

Two men died during the weekend storms, according to authorities. A 60-year-old man was struck by a falling tree in Dumfries and Galloway. A man in his 20s died in Finchley, located in north London.

Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, met with senior politicians, emergency responders, and forecasters on Sunday to coordinate the response. On Monday, Swinney posted on the social platform X that he offered his deepest condolences to the families of those who died. He also thanked emergency services for working through the night to keep people safe.

Flooding affected several communities. In Largs, residents watched flood water cascade through the town center. One resident described the water level as the highest she had seen in 36 years. At the Tha-Tien-Thai restaurant, staff shared video of their kitchen submerged in water. The business announced it would close for the foreseeable future because the required flood restoration was larger than originally planned. Emergency services responded to a flooded care home in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, on Sunday evening. Police Scotland confirmed that everyone at the facility was accounted for and that officers would remain on site overnight.

Travel faced widespread disruption. Flights were diverted from Leeds Bradford, which is England’s highest airport, while other flights were cancelled. Most train services were returning to normal schedules, though operators advised customers to check before traveling. The high winds also led to event cancellations, including Sunday racing at Aintree. A live blog of a Sunderland versus Leeds football match described the wind as the winner of a goalless draw.

The Met Office issued two yellow weather warnings for more strong winds. The first warning covers western coastal areas from Cornwall to south-west Scotland from 6 p.m. on Monday until 3 a.m. on Tuesday. Gusts of up to 65 miles per hour are expected in exposed areas. The second warning covers most of Scotland from 3 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, with winds of 50 to 60 miles per hour and gusts up to 70 miles per hour in the far north. The agency warned of possible travel cancellations, road closures, and additional power cuts.