Storm Boelo clean-up continues as 90,000 properties remain without power

A clean-up is under way after Storm Boelo left about 90,000 properties without power across parts of Scotland and northern England, with two men killed by falling trees and travel and school disruption continuing on Monday.

The Energy Networks Association said the outages were still affecting homes and businesses. Its chief executive, Leo Slade, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that strong, sustained winds were hampering repairs because engineers could not safely work on damaged poles and wires. He said winds of 50-85mph had been recorded across parts of Scotland and northern England.

Five primary schools in Aberdeenshire were closed because of power cuts, while Ellon Academy shut after storm damage. Disruption to travel also continued.

The deaths were reported in north London and Dumfries and Galloway. The London man, who was in his 20s, died after a tree struck his car; the other victim was 60.

Businesses have also been hit. Marcus Reed, operations director at home fragrance maker Wax Lyrical, said the company’s factory and shop in Lindal, Cumbria, were expected to remain without power until Tuesday evening. He said staff and customers had been turned away and that losing two days of manufacturing and distribution would be disruptive during the run-up to Christmas.

Boelo is the second storm to bring major disruption to parts of the UK in recent days, after Storm Austen. Strong winds and rain were forecast to continue on Monday. Slade said the power network was resilient, but called for discussion about whether more investment was needed to prepare for storms linked to climate change.