UK grid operators report 90,000 customers still dark after storm recovery

Approximately 90,000 customers in northern Britain remained without electricity on Monday morning, according to the Energy Networks Association. The group, which represents UK and Irish utility operators, noted that forecasters expect more strong winds to impede repair efforts.

The power outages followed two named storms, Austen and Boelo, which hit the UK over the weekend. The weather system caused widespread travel disruptions, flooding, and the deaths of two men. Operators worked through the weekend to restore service to about 700,000 customers.

Lawrence Slade, chief executive of the association, described the recovery period as challenging on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. He attributed the difficulty to the short interval between the two storms. Slade stated, "One of the problems was how quickly Boelo followed after Austen."

Strong winds, recorded at 50 to 70 miles per hour and reaching 85 miles per hour in northern Scotland, prevented engineers from safely replacing poles and rewiring lines. Slade explained that crews could not work until the weather system passed. Although conditions milder on Monday, 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, effective from 6 p.m. Monday to 3 a.m. Tuesday. Gusts up to 65 miles per hour and heavy rain are expected in exposed areas. A second warning applies to most of Scotland from 3 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, with widespread winds of 50 to 60 miles per hour and gusts up to 70 miles per hour in the far north. The Met Office warned of potential travel cancellations and further power cuts.

In Scotland, First Minister John Swinney met with senior politicians and emergency teams on Sunday to coordinate the response. Swinney posted on X on Monday that he offered condolences to the families of the two men killed by the storms. He thanked emergency services for working through the night.

Flooding in Largs, Scotland, left a Thai restaurant named Tha-Tien-Thai with a water-damaged kitchen. The business announced it would close for the foreseeable future due to larger flood restoration than originally planned. Police Scotland remained on site at a flooded care home in Saltcoats after confirming all residents were accounted for on Sunday evening.