SSEN set to deploy welfare vans in the wake of Storm Gerrit
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Teams from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution are working hard to restore power to properties in the north of Scotland impacted by the full force of Storm Gerrit.
As of 9.45pm tonight, supplies have been successfully restored to almost 25,000 customers, with just over 16,000 further properties currently off supply, mainly due to faults which occurred this afternoon.
The widespread extent of the damage, the ongoing adverse weather conditions, and the challenges accessing faults due to fallen trees, flooding and road closures, together mean that full network restoration will take time.
Some customers in rural areas may be off supply for up to 48 hours, particularly in the north east which felt the brunt of Storm Gerrit later this afternoon.
SSEN knows the impact today’s weather is having on its customers and continues to work closely with local resilience partners to coordinate welfare arrangements and identify customers who may need additional support.
SSEN has proactively contacted over 50,000 customers on its Priority Services Register and continues to call those most vulnerable to check in and offer help.
In response to the weather forecast and the storm itself, SSEN enacted its well-established resilience plans. Additional teams to repair the network were mobilised from first thing this morning.
This evening, welfare vans are being moved to locations where the power will not be restored tonight.
These will provide hot meals from 9am on Thursday morning at the following locations:
* The Riggs car park, Fort Augustus, PH32 4DF
* Finzean Hall, Banchory, AB31 6LY
* Hatton of Fintray, Aberdeenshire, AB21 0YG
* The Square, Tarland, AB34 4YL
* Bellabeg, Strathdon (opposite the local shop) AB36 8UL
* The Public Hall, High Street, Sandhaven, Fraserburgh, AB43 7EQ
* Aberlour Parish Church car park, 7 Victoria Terrace, AB38 9PW
Location details of five further hot food vans we plan to deploy will be provided in the morning.
As part of SSEN’s support package, customers who will be without power for more than 12 hours are entitled to £30 per person for every day without power, to cover the cost of food and drink.
People should keep hold of their receipts and claim costs back.
