The aftermath of Storm Gerrit has left thousands of people across Scotland grappling with the challenge of living without power for another night. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution has made commendable efforts to restore electricity supply to more than 40,000 properties, but challenging conditions persist.
As of 4:45 pm on Thursday, a significant portion of those affected had their power restored. However, approximately 2,900 households remain in the dark, with 1,080 of those located in the north-eastern regions of Scotland.
The power outages have taken a toll on various regions, with 818 homes in Argyll and West Highlands, 337 in the Highlands, 365 in Shetland, and 464 in Tayside and Central also experiencing a loss of electricity.
SSEN anticipates that roughly 1,500 customers will continue to be offline until Friday.
As part of SSEN’s support package, customers facing power outages exceeding 12 hours are entitled to receive £30 per person for each day without power, covering the cost of food and drink. Additionally, customers on SSEN’s Priority Service Register may claim “reasonable” expenses for alternative accommodation if it is expected that they will be without power for more than 24 hours.
Andy Smith, operations director at SSEN, expressed gratitude to the affected communities for their patience and support during these challenging times. He emphasized that the restoration efforts have been focused on reconnecting the greatest number of customers, especially those who have been without power for extended periods.
Smith assured customers that all available resources have been mobilized for the final push to restore power, and urged anyone in need of help or advice to contact the power outage helpline at 105.
Storm Gerrit, characterized by blizzards and flooding, wreaked havoc across Scotland, causing damage to homes and widespread travel disruptions. Train services north of Perth and Dundee were cancelled, and several routes between Aberdeen, Dundee, and Inverness were shut down. Severe driving conditions prevailed on Scotland’s roads, with the A9 closed at Drumotcher in the Highlands due to snow, causing lengthy delays for motorists.
While some road closures have since been lifted, caution remains advised due to surface water and flooding. Public transport services continue to be impacted, with travellers encouraged to check with their respective transport operators for updates on service cancellations or delays.
Ferry operator CalMac also announced multiple cancellations, delays, and schedule changes for services on Thursday and Friday, affecting routes such as Ardrossan-Brodick and Fionnphort-Iona. Passengers are advised to monitor CalMac’s X account for the latest updates.
The aftermath of Storm Gerrit continues to present significant challenges for residents and travellers alike, underscoring the need for caution and preparedness in the face of adverse weather conditions.
