ENGINEERS are working to restore power to around 22,000 properties in the north and north east of Scotland on Tuesday morning, following Storm Floris.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said it had restored power to 50,000 properties since the onset of the storm. SSEN is the network operator for the north of Scotland.
The company said: “Now the winds have died down and moved into the North Sea, it’s become safer for our field teams to get to faults on the network, although strong gusts are still forecast for today, and we’ll be monitoring the forecast closely.
“Our teams worked for as long as the light permitted last night, and were deployed again early this morning, with the support of helicopters to assess the network from above.”
It added: “This has been a particularly damaging storm, and we’ll be working hard to reconnect customers as safely and quickly as we can – but it will take time.”
The company said it had organised meal provision in some of the affected communities.
Here are the SSEN food locations after Storm Floris:
Open from 8:30am this morning
- DINGWALL - Maryburgh Hub Hall, Seaforth Place, Maryburgh, Dingwall, IV7 8DP
- WICK - Bibster and Thuster Hall, Bilbester, Wick KW1 5TA
- HUNTLY - Market Muir Car Park, Steven Road, AB54 8ES
- LAIRG - IV27 4DD (the village car park)
- KYLE OF LOCHALSH - Lochalsh Leisure Centre Car Park, Douglas Park, IV40 8AB
- NAIRN - West End Hotel, Thurlow Road, IB12 4EZ
Open from noon
- NAIRN The Dolphin Chip Shop, 69 High Street, IV12 4BW
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room held a meeting on Monday night to help decide an appropriate response to the storm, which has led to power outages and delays in exam results being delivered to pupils.
The meeting was attended by Justice Secretary Angela Constance, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop, Health Secretary Neil Gray and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin, alongside representatives from the Met Office, Police Scotland, [[Transport]] Scotland, Sepa, transport and utilities companies and others.
Constance said: “As expected, there has been significant disruption, particularly across the travel networks.
“Power cuts are affecting a significant number of properties, and while utilities companies are working hard to reconnect supply in the face of challenging conditions, this will undoubtedly take some time to complete.
“The recovery period – both to reconnect homes to power and get transport back to normal – will require some time to clear the debris.
“We will continue to receive updates throughout Tuesday.”
