Thousands still without power after Storm Boelo

Published26 October 2026, 07:33 GMT

Thousands of households across Cumbria and parts of north-eastern England remain without power in the wake of Storm Boelo.

Electricity North West said it was working to restore power supplies to about 3,000 homes, with the worst affected parts of Cumbria including Allerdale, Copeland and South Lakeland.

Additionally Northern Powergrid said hundreds of customers were cut off in Northumberland and County Durham.

On the trains, Northern said disruption was expected on its services between Carlisle and Newcastle, as well as between Lancaster and Barrow.

Derek Story, from Scotby near Carlisle, said it was "disappointing" how long it was taking to get power back on as the lack of a mobile signal meant he felt a bit "isolated".

Stephen Cawley, also from Scotby, said the absence of an internet connection had led his family to spend time together the old-fashioned way.

"We're back to talking to each other and playing Scrabble," he said.

Westmorland and Furness Council said it responded to 90 calls over the weekend, 70 of which involved fallen or dangerous trees.

In Whitehaven, the storm ripped out the power cable running along West Pier.

Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners posted on Facebook: "The pier will remain closed while the cable is recovered from the water and returned to its proper position."

Meanwhile a tree fell on to a completed new-build house at the Homes by Esh development at Havelock Park in Darlington.

It left a huge hole in the roof of the building which was yet to be occupied.

Trees also crashed into allotments near Durham, blocking a footpath leading into the Flass Vale nature reserve.

National Rail said trains between Ashington and Newcastle would not call at Northumberland Park, while services from Newcastle to Ashington would not stop at Blyth Bebside.

Electricity North West offered free welfare support to residents at Cartmel Food Shed Takeaway until 14:00 GMT, as well as at locations in Ulverston and Askam-in-Furness.

Paul Killilea, of Electricity North West, said the majority of homes affected should have their power restored on Monday, but hundreds of homes could remain without power overnight.

"[There is] a significant amount of work to do today," he said.

The A66 reopened on Sunday evening after it was closed in both directions between the A67 near Bowes in County Durham and the A685 near Brough, Cumbria, because of strong winds - a section of road nearly 15 miles long.

The Redheugh Bridge was shut on Sunday afternoon due to high winds but was later reopened.

The Shields Ferry is running following its cancellation on Sunday.

A yellow wind warning was issued in Cumbria, to apply from 18:00 GMT on Monday.

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