Storm Boelo batters UK: 82mph gusts, hundreds of flights cancelled and flood warnings issued

Strong winds battered Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England overnight as Storm Boelo hit the UK. It was the second named storm in as many days, after Storm Austen brought strong winds to parts of the UK on Friday. The Met Office said wind speeds reached 60 to 70mph in areas covered by an amber warning that came into force at 9pm on Saturday.

In exposed coastal spots, gusts reached more than 80mph. The island of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides was hit by 82mph winds at about 4am on Sunday, according to the forecaster.

The Met Office advised people in affected areas to secure loose items in gardens and to stay indoors, saying the storm posed a danger to life from flying debris and crashing waves.

Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said Storm Boelo would 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 to 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 to 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 disruption, particularly to travel and power supplies, Kelly said.

Several events have already been cancelled this weekend because of the weather. Liverpool's River of Light event, featuring illuminated artworks, was cancelled in the interests of safety, while London's annual Diwali on the Square celebrations on Sunday were also cancelled on the advice of independent health and safety experts.

Edinburgh Castle is closed on Sunday because of the high winds and adverse weather. The Fountains Abbey estate in North Yorkshire has also closed for the day, after its Fountains by Floodlight event on Saturday evening was cancelled.

There was disruption on the railway network on Saturday night, and delays and cancellations were expected to continue into Sunday. The line between Preston and Blackpool North in Lancashire was blocked after heavy rain led to flooding, while in Scotland trees came down on the tracks near Dumfries.

Network Rail shared images of a trampoline beneath a train and a shed by the tracks, and reminded people living near rail lines to firmly secure objects in their gardens.

Strong winds also disrupted flights, with hundreds delayed or cancelled at several UK and Ireland airports, including Dublin, Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The Environment Agency had issued 66 alerts for spots across England where flooding was possible by 7am on Sunday, as well as 10 warnings stating that flooding was expected. Cumbria police said they had received a number of calls overnight about localised flooding and fallen trees blocking roads across the county, and urged motorists to drive with care while emergency services worked to clear the obstructions.

The amber warning sits within wider yellow wind warnings covering parts of England farther south, as well as north Wales and the whole of Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, hundreds of homes were still without power in south-west England after Storm Austen hit on Friday, bringing 76mph winds to St Mary's airport in the Isles of Scilly, 74mph at Aberporth in south Wales, and 71mph at Culdrose in Cornwall.