Storm Boelo cuts power and disrupts travel across Ireland and Britain

Storm Boelo cuts power and disrupts travel across Ireland and Britain

Storm Boelo brought severe winds and heavy rain to Ireland and Britain overnight into Sunday, cutting electricity to tens of thousands of properties, disrupting transport and bringing down trees. ESB Networks said about 41,000 homes, farms and businesses in Ireland, mainly in the northwest, were without power on Sunday morning. A further 7,000 customers had lost electricity in Northern Ireland, according to NIE Networks. Crews began restoration work after first light, while police and local authorities reported roads blocked by fallen trees and debris. The Foyle Bridge in Derry was closed because of high winds. In Britain, the strongest conditions struck Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England. The UK Met Office recorded an 82mph gust on Tiree in the Inner Hebrides early Sunday, while the South China Morning Post reported winds reaching 135km/h in Argyll and Bute. Amber wind warnings covered Scotland, northeastern Northern Ireland and the far north of England. Rail services were disrupted by flooding and fallen trees, and hundreds of flights were delayed or cancelled at airports including Dublin, Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Several events and attractions also closed,closed or were cancelled, including Edinburgh Castle and Liverpool’s River of Light event. Flooding remained a concern after Storm Austen had already saturated ground and raised river levels. Irish weather warnings were expiring through Sunday morning, although Donegal remained under a yellow wind warning until mid-afternoon and a new rain warning was due for Kerry and Cork early Monday.