Police Scotland said the man was pronounced dead at the scene near Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway at about 10:30 on Sunday. The death is the first reported from the storm, which has brought the strongest gusts so far this autumn to parts of the country.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks reported that more than 47,000 customers in Scotland had lost power by Sunday, with a further 2,610 properties affected in Cumbria, England. The Energy Networks Association said dangerous conditions were “limiting network engineers’ opportunities to safely start the work”, delaying restorations.
Wind gusts peaked at 85mph in Machrihanish, Argyll and Bute, and 84mph in both Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides and Capel Curig in north Wales. An amber wind warning from the Met Office remains in place until 21:00 on Sunday across Scotland and parts of northern England. A yellow warning covering other areas of northern England, the East and West Midlands, and North Wales also runs until that time.
The Met Office urged people to “stay indoors as much as possible”, adding: “If you do go out, try not to walk, or shelter, close to buildings and trees.”
Four flood warnings have been issued for parts of England and Wales, with 17 in place in Scotland. High rainfall in the Scottish Highlands reached 130mm at Cluanie Inn.
Scottish government ministers met on Sunday afternoon to discuss the storm’s impact. In a statement, the government said conditions may ease later on Sunday but warned of the potential for adverse weather to return in the coming days. Police have advised against unnecessary road journeys, and ferry services have been cancelled.
Disruption extended to air and rail travel, with flights cancelled at Belfast, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dublin airports and train services affected across the UK. Numerous weekend events have been called off, including Liverpool’s River of Light show, Knowsley Safari Park, and several markets in the North West and East Midlands.
Jason Kelly, the Met Office’s chief forecaster, said: “People should prepare for the potential for disruption, particularly to travel and power supplies. Secure loose items outside, plan ahead if you are travelling and keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings for your area.”