Storm Boelo batters Britain with 85mph winds: Amber warnings in force as trains cancelled and thousands left without power

The worst of Storm Boelo has battered Britain with gusts of 85mph as thousands of homes were left without power.

Winds peaked overnight at 60-70mph in the warning zone – including Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and the far north of England.

Meanwhile, gusts reached more than 80mph in exposed coastal spots, the Met Office said.

Storm Boelo follows Austen, the first named of the season, which brought strong winds to parts of the UK on Friday.

Heavy downpours since 8am on Saturday have already seen rainfall totals of 72mm in White Barrow, Wiltshire, along with 43mm in both Cwm Dyli, just south of the Snowdon range in North Wales, and Inveruglas on the west shore of Loch Lomond, Scotland.

Hundreds of homes were still without power in south-west England after Austen hit the region on Friday where the National Grid said power had been restored to 131,225 properties by 7pm on Saturday.

An amber wind warning, the Met Office's second most severe, is active across Scotland and the north of England down to Carlisle from 9pm on Saturday to the same time on Sunday.

A further amber warning runs from 9pm on Saturday to 10am on Sunday in the north-east of Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile the Met Office reported a danger to life from flying debris and crashing waves, with people advised to stay indoors as much as possible.

Concerned Brits have taken to social media to share their thoughts on the storm.

One person said on X: 'I don’t think people understand the depth and size of storm Boelo.

'It was so big it could be seen from space. That’s not normal for the UK.'

Another person added: 'Oh my goodness what a horrible night! Hope sleep comes easy, the house is getting battered by rain and wind. Stay vigilant people.'

A third said: 'How is this not a red weather warning? It's brutal, never heard winds like this before, throw in thunder lightning, power cut.'

The amber warning sits within wider yellow wind warnings which extend south into parts of England and North Wales and cover the whole of Northern Ireland.

It marks the end of British Summer Time today, which saw clocks go back one hour.

The Environment Agency had issued 66 alerts for spots across England where flooding is possible by 7am on Sunday, as well as ten warnings stating that flooding is expected.

Cumbria Police said it had received 'a number of calls overnight to localised flooding and fallen trees blocking roads' right across the county, adding emergency services were working to clear the blockages but urged drivers to 'drive with care'.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said 32 flood warnings and 11 flooding alerts were active as of 7am.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland, on Sunday, warned fallen trees had blocked roads across the country and advised drivers to 'take extra caution'.

It said in a statement: 'We would particularly draw your attention to closures on the Ballyrobin Road - both lanes currently impassable just after the junction with Seven Mile Straight - which may affect journeys to Belfast International Airport; and on the Glenshane Road, around half a mile from Castledawson roundabout, Derry bound.'

Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said: 'Boelo will be felt across the UK this weekend, with the strongest winds and greatest potential for disruption in the north.

'Amber warnings are in place across mainland Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and the far north of England, where gusts of 60-70mph are expected widely, with the potential for 80mph in exposed coastal locations.

'Strong winds will also affect other parts of the UK, with gusts of 50-60mph possible in places. Heavy rain will provide an additional hazard, particularly in the north, bringing the potential for further impacts.

'People should prepare for the potential for disruption, particularly to travel and power supplies.'

Strong winds disrupted flights at Dublin Airport, where as of 4pm on Saturday nine outbound and 10 inbound flights had been cancelled by airlines because of weather issues.

Network Rail shared images of a trampoline beneath a train and a shed by the tracks, in a call for those living near rail lines to secure their garden furniture firmly.

Visit Liverpool announced the region's River of Light event, featuring illuminated artworks, had been cancelled 'in the interests of safety'.

London's annual Diwali on the Square celebrations this Sunday were cancelled on independent health and safety experts' recommendations in light of the storm.

Events and attractions announced closures for Sunday including Edinburgh Castle and the Fountains Abbey estate in North Yorkshire, which was due to host its Fountains by Floodlight event on Sunday.

Intemperate weather will return later in the week with a yellow warning for strong winds with possibly damaging gusts running from 3am on Tuesday to midnight.