Schools closed and 23,500 still without power after Storm Boelo

Thousands of homes remain without power and several schools are closed following the fatal Storm Boelo.

A 60-year-old man was killed by a falling tree in Dumfries and Galloway on Sunday during the storm, which battered Scotland with 80mph gusts.

Two women were injured by another falling tree in Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross.

In Bathgate, two men died after a three-car crash during the storm. It isn’t confirmed if the collision is related to the disruption from Boelo.

The storm, which sparked yellow and amber weather warnings for wind across the country, resulted in power outages and travel disruption.

On Monday afternoon, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said around 22,000 customers remained without power, while around 76,000 had been reconnected.

SP Energy Networks said that as of lunchtime on Monday, around 1,500 customers remain without power, mainly across Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway, while more than 50,000 have been reconnected.

In Aberdeenshire, 13 primary schools without power were shut on Monday, while Ellon Academy was closed because of storm damage. Ten primary schools were shut in the Highlands.

The A78 Shore Road between Skelmorlie and Largs in North Ayrshire remains closed in both directions following “significant damage” to the carriageway and sea wall during Storm Boelo, while some ferry services are facing disruption.

On Sunday evening, emergency services were called to a flooded care home in Sidney Street, Saltcoats in North Ayrshire.

Police Scotland said everyone at the home was accounted for and that local road closures were in place.

Storm Boelo swept in soon after Storm Austen brought heavy rain to many areas on Friday.

More windy weather is forecast for Tuesday, when a Met Office yellow warning will be in force from 3am to 9pm for the country north of Peebles and west of Lockerbie.

The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) met on Sunday to discuss the fallout from the storm.

In a post on X on Monday, First Minister John Swinney expressed his condolences over the death in Dumfries and Galloway and that of another man in his 20s who died during the storm in north London.

“My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the two people who have tragically lost their lives as a result of Storm Boelo,” he said.

“My thoughts are with all those affected by the damage, and I thank the emergency services working through the night to keep people safe.”

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander – speaking during a visit to a shipyard in Fife – added that the UK Government “stands ready” to help in any way it can.

“Resilience is a devolved competence,” he said.

Businesses in Largs were left grappling with extensive water damage after floodwater swept through the town.

Network Rail said the vast majority of train lines were running on Monday.

Teams have cleared felled trees and debris from tracks, and have repaired overhead lines and flooding that had disrupted the network.