Storm Update: Power workers battle to restore electricity to thousands


Power workers have been struggling this weekend to cope with a rising number of homes who suffered power losses as a result of the Hurricane-force storms that struck over the last few days.

Several hundred homes and businesses in Moray were affected by power outages as a spokesman for SSE said that around 83,000 lost their power when the storms first hit on Thursday – and many have been without power since.

A spokesman for the Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution said that heavy snowfalls and ice made the job of restoring power all the more difficult as access to damaged pylons was proving almost impossible in some areas of the Highlands.

200 additional staff were drafted in to join the 1000 already working on restoring power – however, Moray did escape the worst with a only a few hundred homes if the region affected.

Yellow alerts remain in force today and tomorrow for Moray with the main danger coming from snow and ice throughout today and into Monday, a spokesman saying: “Heavy showers are expected across the area, these falling as snow at low levels across much of the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire.

“Occasional accumulations of 2-4 cm are likely, with more than 8 cm on high ground. Ice will be an additional hazard, especially early on Saturday over northern Scotland as rain clears.”

Meanwhile a flood warning is currently in place for river and coastal areas in Moray.

While rail services are operating again between Aberdeen and Inverness they remain subject to serious disruption. Scotrail have also laid on an additional service they plan to run this evening at 8.46pm from Aviemore to Elgin, where it is due to arrive at 10.23pm.

Police Scotland say that anyone travelling by road must take additional care and be aware of the danger from snow and ice.

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