Potential power cuts and 80mph winds as Storm Boelo worsens in Lancashire

The Met Office has warned that power cuts could “potentially” affect areas of Lancashire over the weekend, as it upgrades its yellow weather warning to amber.

It remains in place until 9pm tomorrow (October 25), with winds potentially exceeding 80mph as Storms Austen and Boelo race across the country.

The Met Office said Storm Boelo will bring a 'danger to life' due to flying debris. Network Rail have already warned passengers not to take trains north from Preston amid fears of obstructions on the tracks.

Storm Boelo follows Storm Austen, which descended upon the South West yesterday.

More than 3,700 homes in the region have been left without power, with engineers saying they had restored power to more than 60,000 homes since yesterday morning.

The Met Office has now said that power cuts could potentially affect amber areas - such as Preston and wider Lancashire - as Storm Boelo worsens this weekend.

This morning began with dry weather for many, but moderate rainfall has already moved its way into Preston.

Winds are expected to peak from this evening, with the poor weather continuing into the coming days.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: “There’s more stormy weather to come as we go through this weekend, especially across northern parts – that’s where we’re going to see the strongest winds.

“Storm Boelo is arriving. It’s going to bring widespread rain and some very strong winds indeed, and it’s quick on the tails of Storm Austen which is now clearing away towards the east.”

He added: “All of us will see some fairly persistent rain particularly as we go through the afternoon.

“In the west it’s going to be fairly heavy, some high totals which could lead to a bit of flooding in places, and nonetheless there will be some significant spray on the roads.

“It’s the winds that were perhaps most concerned about, they’re really going to whip up some strong gusty winds across Northern Ireland, northern parts of England and also Scotland through the day – strengthening as we head towards the evening.”

Andy Burnham has already warned that this winter could see an increase in flooding.

He said: “We potentially are facing a winter of greater flooding, so it’s about recognising all of those risks and taking action.”