Lifeboats and aircraft joined the search
Police Scotland said an unidentified person remained missing following a report received at about 12:12 a.m. Tuesday, October 27, 2026, concerning someone in the water near Burnlea Road. HM Coastguard received a report at about 12:20 a.m. that a person was believed to have been swept into the sea.
The response included a Coastguard helicopter and airplane, rescue teams from Largs and Ardrossan, Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. At the Coastguard's request, the Largs RNLI lifeboat launched at 12:23 a.m., followed by the Troon lifeboat at 12:35 a.m.
Footage recorded by a resident showed emergency vehicles with blue lights along the waterfront and a helicopter above the sea. The resident wrote: "A real reminder of how quickly things can change out on the water. Huge respect to everyone involved in responding."
HM Coastguard described an "extensive search" before the operation was suspended. Police Scotland, in its statement, said searching would resume that morning and inquiries were continuing. Anyone with information was asked to call 101 and quote incident number 0026 of October 27, 2026.
Flooding in Largs and further weather warnings
The search followed a weekend of damage from Storm Boelo, with winds of 85 mph and heavy rain affecting Largs, Saltcoats and Prestwick. ITV News reported that rain and high winds flooded Largs' main street, turning it into a river. Toni Dawson, who runs the town's Geraldo's ice cream and gift shop, told the broadcaster the water was at its "highest level ever".
Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn visited flood-affected businesses and communities in Largs, according to the Scottish Government.
A yellow weather warning covers much of Scotland from 3 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, October 27, with winds forecast to reach 70 mph in coastal and northern areas. ScotRail announced speed restrictions on some routes and advised passengers to check for cancellations and delays.
On October 26, the Scottish Government also reported that SEPA had issued an amber flood risk for the Western Isles, Caithness and Sutherland, and the Northern Isles because of the likelihood of high tides and large waves.
Deaths and power outages after Storm Boelo
Two men died in separate incidents involving falling trees on Sunday, October 25, BBC News reported. In north London, a tree struck the car of a man in his 20s. In Dumfries and Galloway, the victim was identified as Richard Baines, 60, the long-serving curator of Logan Botanic Garden.
The storm also caused power cuts affecting more than 800,000 people. As of October 26, almost 8,000 people were still without electricity, BBC News reported, citing the Energy Networks Association.
The Scottish Government Resilience Room met on October 26 to discuss the storm's impact. Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville chaired the meeting.
