Full Breakdown
Storm Boelo Sweeps Northern Ireland and Parts of the UK with High Winds and Power Outages
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event – Immediate Impact
Storm Boelo struck Ireland and northern Britain on 24–26 October 2026, delivering gusts up to 80 mph in exposed coastal locations. The Met Office issued yellow wind warnings for all six Northern Ireland counties and an amber warning for Antrim and Derry. The storm knocked out electricity for roughly 7,000 homes in Northern Ireland, forced the cancellation of flights and ferries, and disrupted road, rail and sea travel. By the following Monday, Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIE) reported power had been restored to all properties in the region.
Background & Context
Boelo was the second named storm of the season, following Storm Austen, which had hit southern England and parts of Ireland a day earlier. The Met Office warned Boelo would affect the “opposite end of the country,” bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England.
Timeline
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Oct | Yellow wind warning for all six Northern Ireland counties, 6 pm–3 pm | 4ni |
| 25 Oct | Continuation of yellow warning | 4ni |
| 26 Oct | Yellow warning for Antrim and Down, 6 pm–3 am; amber warning for Antrim and Londonderry from 3 am | Irish News |
| 27 Oct | Amber warning for Antrim and Londonderry, 3 am–9 pm | Irish News |
Data & Statistics
- Wind speeds: gusts of 70-80 mph forecast; 82 mph reported on Tiree (Inner Hebrides).
- Travel disruption: flights delayed or cancelled at Dublin, Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow; ferries suspended.
- Flood alerts: 66 flood alerts and 10 flood warnings issued for England.
- Road incidents: police recorded flooding and fallen trees blocking roads in Cumbria.
Official Statements & Responses
- Met Office: warned gusts could reach 80 mph on exposed coasts and heavy rain would raise flood risk.
- NIE: confirmed full power restoration across Northern Ireland.
- ESB (Republic of Ireland): reported ongoing outages affecting homes, farms and businesses.
- Environment Agency: highlighted extensive flood alert network.
- Network Rail: advised securing garden items near railway lines.
On-the-Ground Reports
Local authorities noted fallen trees blocking roads and bridges, and coastal properties suffered damage from waves and debris. Event organizers cancelled or postponed activities, including the Antrim senior hurling final, the Causeway Coast and Glens fireworks display, Liverpool’s “River of Light” installation, London’s Diwali on the Square celebrations, and Edinburgh Castle’s public opening.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
What’s Next
A yellow wind warning for Antrim, Down and Derry is set for 27 October, with gusts of 50-60 mph possible and isolated peaks of 70 mph or more. The Met Office advises residents to secure loose objects, prepare for possible power cuts, and monitor travel updates.
---
*All figures and statements are attributed to the organizations or officials that provided them.*