30,000 without power as Storm Boelo batters Scotland with 82mph gusts
An amber alert remains in force across the country, while 32 flood warnings have been issued.
More than 80,000 homes in Scotland remain without power as the worst of Storm Boelo batters Scotland causing damage and destruction, with ferries and flights cancelled and roads blocked.
Amber weather warnings remain in force as SP Energy said it was still working to restore power to more than 6,000 homes, while SSEN reported 74 power cuts affecting areas across parts of the Highlands and island, with 24,000 homes affected.
Meanwhile severe flooding was reported in parts of the country, with businesses in seaside towns including Largs forced to close after being devastated by flood waters.
Attractions including light events the Enchanted Forest near Pitlochry and GlasGlow at the Glasgow Botanic Gardens have been closed today, while Beacon Arts Centre in Inverclyde said it would close at 2pm.
Network Rail said the storm, which has seen delays and cancellations across the rail network, caused flooding at Dalmarnock station. It added flood pumps had cleared the water by 11am.
Several trees have fallen across the trunk roads in Scotland overnight due to Storm Boelo. The A83 is closed in both directions at Inveraray and the A78 at Largs is also shut both ways, both due to a fallen tree.
Other routes affected this morning by fallen trees include the A830 at Corpach and the A75 at Carsluith.
The power outages have been reported across Highlands, Argyll, Western Isles, Orkney, parts of Perth and Kinross, and Stirling. Large parts of the Isle of Mull, Skye, Harris and Lewis have also been affected by the power cuts.
SP Energy said: “There are currently around 6,000 homes in the SP Energy Network areas without power, mainly across Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway, after Storm Boelo battered Scotland overnight.
“More outages could occur as the storm continues and teams are on standby. An amber weather warning remains in place bringing falling debris and downed trees that have affected powerlines across the region.
It added: “Multiple repair teams have been mobilised and engineers are working to assess damage and identify key locations for repairs, where safe to do so, and restore customers as quickly as possible.”
In a social media post on Sunday, SSEN said it is “working hard to respond to damage caused by Storm Boelo”.
“Severe weather across our network will continue today and further disruption remains possible,” SSEN said.
“If you see any damage to our network, please stay back, don’t touch it and report it to us by calling 105.”
Almost all CalMac ferries were cancelled, with 27 of 30 routes impacted, while there was also severe disruption at Scotland’s airports.
The Met Office said the island of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides experienced 82mph winds at about 4am on Sunday. Maximum gust speeds of 75mph hit South Uist Range, Western Isles, Highland and Eilean Siar, earlier 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.
An amber wind warning, the Met Office’s second most severe, is active across Scotland until 9pm on Sunday. Storm Boelo will bring a danger to life from flying debris and crashing waves and people should stay indoors as much as possible, the Met Office said.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said 32 flood warnings and 11 flooding alerts were active as of 7am.
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.
“Amber warnings are in place across mainland Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and the far north of England, where gusts of 60-70mph are expected widely, with the potential for 80mph in exposed coastal locations.
“Strong winds will also affect other parts of the UK, with gusts of 50-60mph possible in places. Heavy rain will provide an additional hazard, particularly in the north, bringing the potential for further impacts.
“People should prepare for the potential for disruption, particularly to travel and power supplies.”
People should secure loose items outside, plan ahead if they are travelling and keep an eye on the latest forecast and warnings, he advised.
Rail lines in western and northern Scotland have closed as a result of the strong wind and heavy rain warnings across the country.
Services south and west of Kilwinning in North Ayrshire stopped from 9pm on Saturday while further north the Oban and Mallaig lines closed from about 10pm.
P&O Ferries said sailings between Cairnryan and Larne in Northern Ireland at 8am and 12pm are cancelled, while Stena Line said its Superfast ferries from Cairnryan to Belfast were also off this morning, with the 5.45pm sailing listed as “in doubt”.
On Sunday, the line between Kyle of Lochalsh and Achnashellach in the Highlands will be closed from the start of service, as well as the railway between Wick and Helmsdale.
ScotRail said speed restrictions are also expected across much of the network throughout Sunday, with the potential for restrictions to remain in place on the Far North Line between Inverness and Wick into Monday morning.
These restrictions mean trains will operate at lower speeds than normal, resulting in longer journey times, delays and possible cancellations.
ScotRail has advised people to check before travelling and to consider alternative arrangements where possible.
The storm has also affected ferry services across the country.
Scottish ministers have activated the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) to prepare for Storm Boelo.
Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville chaired an SGORR meeting on Friday and said it will continue to “monitor the situation closely over the weekend and provide regular updates to the public”.
The City of Edinburgh Council said it will be closing Princes Street Gardens, Lauriston Castle Grounds and Saughton Winter Gardens on Saturday evening because of the forecast and will reopen them on Monday once it is safe to do so.
Edinburgh Castle will also be closed on Sunday, and visitors have been warned that the site may be delayed or closed on Saturday because of the weather forecast.
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