Storm Boelo lashes Northern Ireland and surrounding regions with 70-plus mph gusts

Over the weekend, Storm Boelo swept across Northern Ireland with wind speeds reaching 78 mph at Orlock Head, prompting yellow and amber warnings for the region. The high winds damaged the electricity network, leaving roughly 7,000 customers in the north without power and about 18,000 homes, farms and businesses in the Republic of Ireland still offline. Major airports—including Belfast City, Belfast International and Dublin—suspended flights, forcing at least one passenger to be rerouted to London and stay overnight.

In Scotland, a 60-year-old man was killed when a falling tree hit him near Castle Douglas. London saw two minor injuries after strong gusts toppled a large section of scaffolding on Streatham High Street. Additional impacts included fallen trees, flooding, bridge closures and damage to coastal infrastructure such as Pans Rock Bridge near Ballymena.