Get ready for winter, advises Aberdeenshire Council

You might need to be self-sufficient for up to 72 hours at some point this winter – so now is a good time to get ready.

That's the advice from Aberdeenshire County Council which is currently sending out leaflets to every home in the region regarding how best to prepare for a cold snap.

The leaflets are arriving through letterboxes just before the first anniversary of Storm Arwen which knocked out power to large areas of Aberdeenshire for days.

The leaflet is broken down into sections.

Firstly, it gives details about various weather alerts that can be sign up to online.

Next, it talks about things to do before a storm arrives.

Finally, it gives some advice about what to do if the "lights go out"

As a result of Storm Arwen, the North-East of Scotland experienced the following:

• 60,000 homes had no power in the first 48 hours

• 200 separate faults to the power network (equal to two years’ worth in one night)

• 8000 homes remained without power for a further 7 days
• One tragic fatality
• More than 20,000 trees damaged within council-owned woodland

The council's leader believes Aberdeenshire is now well placed to deal with whatever challenges are thrown up by the weather.

Cllr Mark Findlater (Troup, Conservative) said: "Since those devastating storms a year ago, we have taken significant steps in developing the Aberdeenshire Community Resilience Strategy which builds on the learning and experiences of individuals, households, families, and communities during the winter storms."

In the wake of Storm Arwen the council helped set up 17 welfare centres across the region to ensure hot food, water and power were available to those without.

Jim Savege, the local authority's chief executive, said: "As we saw both during Storm Arwen and the recent flooding events at several locations including Ballater and Kintore, many of our communities have very well-rehearsed resilience and response plans in place.

"We must all increase our individual and household resilience and be aware of our neighbours and those around us who may need help."

Stocks are currently at full capacity in the council's salt depots.

Typically, the local authority will use around 45,000 tonnes each year to keep the region's the 3,500-mile network of roads clear.

The council has also been busy readying its fleet of 55 gritters.

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