Storm Boelo Claims One Life, Leaves 160,000 UK Properties Without Electricity
A man died in Antrim, Northern Ireland, after being struck by a falling tree as Storm Boelo brought severe weather to the UK. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening in the Woodgreen area.
Over 160,000 properties across Northern Ireland, Wales, and England experienced power cuts due to the storm's impact. Northern Ireland Electricity Networks reported 65,000 homes losing power, with engineers working to restore services. In Wales, Scottish Power indicated around 23,000 properties were without electricity, while Electricity North West confirmed 2,200 outages in England.
Gusts reaching up to 80mph were recorded in exposed coastal areas of Northern Ireland, while inland regions saw winds up to 60mph. The Met Office had issued an amber wind warning for parts of Northern Ireland, which has since expired. Yellow warnings for wind and rain remain in place for other regions, including parts of Scotland, Wales, and northern England, for Thursday and Friday.
Train operators, including Transport for Wales, advised passengers against non-essential travel and reported significant disruption, with some lines closed due to falling trees and debris. Ferry services were also affected, leading to cancellations and delays. Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel where warnings are still active.
