The Met Office has issued a rare amber warning for wind as Storm Boelo threatens power cuts, travel disruption and a danger to life across parts of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Gusts of up to 80mph are expected along exposed coastal areas.
The alert is in force from 9pm tonight (Saturday) until 9pm tomorrow, affecting 37 regions and local authorities. The Met Office said: "Flying debris is likely and could lead to injuries or danger to life."
Power cuts and travel disruption expected
The warning states there is "a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage." Some damage to buildings and trees, such as tiles blown from roofs and large branches or trees blown over, is likely.
Longer journey times and cancellations are likely, as road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected. Some roads and bridges are likely to close. The Met Office also warned: "Injuries and danger to life are likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties."
Areas most affected
Fierce westerly winds are expected to batter swathes of the country with widespread gusts of 70mph and up to 80mph along exposed coastal areas. Western Scotland and the north of Northern Ireland are set to bear the brunt before the winds sweep eastwards overnight and into Sunday.
The affected regions and local authorities are: Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Na h-Eileanan Siar, Highland, Strathclyde, Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian, Durham, Northumberland, Blackpool, Cumbria, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, County Antrim and County Londonderry.
Preparing for a power cut
Should a power cut strike, the Met Office recommends having torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items to hand. You should then check your fuse box and speak to neighbours, switch off sensitive electronics and high-risk appliances, and keep your fridge and freezer firmly shut.
