Update 24.10.2026, 16:40: Network Rail is closing seven railway lines in Scotland for Storm Boelo. From 21:00 on Saturday trains stop on the Kilwinning–Ardrossan, Largs and Ayr routes, and from about 22:00 on Crianlarich–Oban and Fort William–Mallaig. From Sunday morning there will be no trains between Kyle of Lochalsh and Achnashellach or between Helmsdale and Wick and Thurso. The lines will reopen only after the track has been checked. CalMac said disruption affects all 30 of its ferry routes, and some sailings (including Troon–Brodick, Oban–Castlebay and Ullapool–Stornoway) have been cancelled. Flood warnings are in force in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray. Before you travel, check ScotRail, CalMac and Traffic Scotland. In a power cut, call the free number 105. Sources: The Scotsman, Press and Journal (24.10.2026).
Update 24.10.2026, 12:10: The Met Office has raised its Storm Boelo warning to amber. It applies from 21:00 on Saturday to 21:00 on Sunday across much of Scotland (including Strathclyde, Lothian and Borders, Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Eilean Siar) and northern England (Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire). In counties Antrim and Londonderry the amber warning lasts until Sunday morning. The Scottish Government has activated its SGORR resilience room and asks people to check their journey before travelling. Power cuts and travel disruption are possible. Current Met Office warnings, gov.scot statement.
The UK government has launched its “Be Ready” campaign. It encourages every household to be prepared for three days of disruption – for example no power, water, phone signal or internet. The campaign was announced on 22 October on GOV.UK.
The government advises keeping a small supply of non-perishable food and bottled water at home. It also recommends signing up to the free Priority Services Register, which tells energy and water companies who needs extra help during an outage. France, Ireland and the Netherlands already apply similar rules (three days of supplies).
Security Minister Dan Jarvis presented the campaign together with the British Red Cross. It is the first stage of a three-year drive, backed by more than 500 organisations. The government cites risks such as severe weather – last winter’s storms and this summer’s wildfires.
The advice comes just in time. On Friday 23 October Storm Austen swept over Britain. The Met Office issued a yellow warning for heavy rain for southern and eastern Scotland (from 6:00 to midnight). 20–40 mm of rain may fall, and 60–80 mm in places. Cornwall, Devon and the Isles of Scilly are under an amber warning for winds of up to 80 mph on the coast, with a yellow warning for England and Wales.
Another storm, Boelo, arrives at the weekend. Yellow wind warnings cover mainland Scotland, the Western Isles, Orkney and northern England (from 18:00 on Saturday to 21:00 on Sunday) and Northern Ireland (from 18:00 on Saturday to 15:00 on Sunday). Gusts may reach 70–80 mph on the coast. Power cuts and travel disruption are possible.
What it means for you
- Families with children: it is worth having water, food, a torch, batteries and a charged power bank at home. Make sure you have medicines and supplies for young children.
- Older and ill people: signing up to the Priority Services Register is free. In an outage your supplier can look after you first.
- Businesses: check what you would do without power or internet for a day or two. Data backups, client contacts on paper, a travel plan for staff.
Our assessment
This is no reason to panic or empty the shops. The government is asking for small, sensible steps. Many EU countries have done this for a long time. A weekend with storms Austen and Boelo shows that power cuts and flooded roads are a real risk, especially in Scotland. Preparing costs little and helps a great deal in an emergency.
What to do
- Read the government’s simple checklist: beready.campaign.gov.uk.
- Sign yourself or your relatives up to the Priority Services Register with your electricity, gas and water suppliers (free).
- Check the latest warnings: Met Office – UK warnings.
- Before high winds, secure items in your garden: furniture, trampolines, bins. Stay away from cliffs and rough seas.
- Save the power cut number: 105 (free across Great Britain).
Source: GOV.UK (22.10.2026); LBC / Met Office, STV News (22–23.10.2026).
We assess factual corrections and substantive responses. Verified changes are reflected in our reporting.
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