Met Office updates Storm Boelo weather alert for Blackpool and Fylde coast over 'danger to life'

The Met Office has issued an update on its ‘injuries and danger to life’ warning for Blackpool and the Fylde coast this weekend as Storm Boelo set to hit the resort.

Forecasters said Storm Boelo is expected to bring a very windy spell overnight Saturday into Sunday with some disruption likely across parts of northern UK.

Amongst the things to watch out for, The Met Office said it was possible there could be “injuries and danger to life from flying debris”.

Initially, forecasters said Storm Boelo was expected to hit Blackpool and the Fylde coast between 6pm on Saturday evening and 9pm on Sunday. But updated advice suggests the storm will hit at 9pm on Saturday with the warning remaining in place until 9pm Sunday.

A Met Office spokesman said: “Flying debris is likely and could lead to injuries or danger to life.

“There is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.

“Some damage to buildings and trees, such as tiles blown from roofs and large branches or trees blown over, is also likely.

“Longer journey times and cancellations likely, as road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected as some roads and bridges likely to close.

“Injuries and danger to life are likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties.”

The strongest winds from Storm Boelo are expected from Saturday evening and extend eastwards through Sunday.

Forecasters have upgraded the weather warning for neighbouring Cumbria to amber.

A Met Office spokesman added: “ Strong winds will spread across northern parts of the UK during Saturday afternoon, combining with spells of heavy rain.

“Initially strong southerly winds will affect parts of Scotland before more widespread and even stronger westerly winds develop later on Saturday.

“Very windy conditions will then persist overnight and through much of Sunday before gradually easing from the southwest later. Gusts of 55-65 mph are likely widely with some coastal and exposed areas potentially seeing gusts of 70-80 mph or more, these strongest gusts most likely across Scotland and the far north of England.”