Back-to-back storms paralyze northern Europe, leaving thousands without power

OPA WIRE, Oct 25 (OPA) — Storm Boelo swept across northern Europe on Sunday, compounding damage left by Storm Austen just two days prior. The severe weather system knocked out power to approximately 82,000 homes in Britain, 60,000 in France, and 10,000 in Germany. High winds reaching 135 kilometers per hour were recorded in western Scotland, where debris and downed power lines severed major transport links.

Travel hubs across the continent reported significant operational disruptions. Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport warned of widespread flight cancellations and delays due to gale-force winds. In Belgium, four people sustained injuries from falling trees in Brussels on Saturday, while German police reported two individuals were seriously hurt when scaffolding collapsed at a market in Nastaetten. Rail services in Sweden were suspended as a precaution, and authorities in Denmark restricted vehicle access on the Great Belt Bridge.

The UK Met Office issued warnings regarding the danger to life posed by flying debris and coastal surges as Boelo tracked eastward. The storm follows the path of Storm Austen, which battered southern England on Friday before moving into continental Europe. Emergency crews across the affected regions are currently working to restore power and clear blocked roads, though progress remains hampered by persistent high winds.

Weather agencies in Germany and Scandinavia expect the volatile conditions to continue through the weekend. The German DWD forecast gusts of up to 100 kilometers per hour along the northern coast. Authorities in Norway and Denmark have also braced for heavy rain and high winds, leading to the cancellation of multiple ferry services across the region.