UK grid operators restore 700,000 connections as 90,000 homes stay dark

Approximately 90,000 properties in northern Britain remained without electricity on Monday morning following a weekend of severe weather.

The Energy Networks Association reported that operators restored power to about 700,000 customers over the weekend. The group represents network operators in the UK and Ireland.

Lawrence Slade, chief executive of the association, described the period as difficult because storm Boelo arrived shortly after storm Austen. He noted that gusts reached 50 to 70 miles per hour, with some areas in northern Scotland seeing winds up to 85 miles per hour. Engineers could not safely replace poles or reconnect wires until the weather system passed.

Two men died after falling trees struck them during the storms. Authorities identified the victims as a 60-year-old man in Dumfries and Galloway and a man in his 20s in Finchley, north London. John Swinney, Scotland's first minister, met with senior politicians and emergency teams on Sunday to review the response. He posted on X on Monday to offer condolences to the families of the victims.

Floods affected several areas. In Largs, a resident described the water levels as the highest seen in 36 years. At the Tha-Tien-Thai restaurant, staff shared video of their flooded kitchen and stated the business would remain closed while restoration efforts continued. Emergency services also responded to a flooded care home in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, on Sunday evening. Police Scotland confirmed all residents were accounted for and officers remained on site overnight.

The Met Office issued two yellow weather warnings for the coming days. The first warning covers western coastal areas from Cornwall to south-west Scotland from 6 p.m. Monday to 3 a.m. Tuesday, with gusts up to 65 miles per hour. The second warning applies to most of Scotland from 3 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, predicting winds of 50 to 60 miles per hour and gusts up to 70 miles per hour in the far north.

Travel disruptions continued on Monday. 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 schedules. Sunday horse racing at Aintree was abandoned due to high winds, and a goalless draw between Sunderland and Leeds ended a football match.