Tens of thousands of homes are without power as Storm Otto brings winds of more than 80mph to parts of the UK.
Energy company SSEN said that, as of 4.30pm Friday, 16,000 properties in Scotland were without power and it could be more than two days before supply is restored. Power has been restored to 27,000 properties so far
The network has a number of faults on its high voltage network due to fallen trees, branches and other windblown debris.
Mark Rough, operations director at SSEN Distribution, said: “We continue to make good progress restoring power to those homes impacted by Storm Otto and we would like to thank our customers for their ongoing patience and understanding as our teams do everything they can to reconnect supplies as soon as possible.
“Whilst we expect to make significant progress restoring those still off supply throughout the remainder of today and into the evening, due to the widespread and extensive damage caused to our network, some customers will remain off supply for over 48 hours, particularly those in rural locations.”
In England, about 19,000 homes were left without power over 143 incidents, Northern Powergrid said. More than 11,000 are said to have since had supplies restored.
The Met Office recorded wind gusts of 83mph at Inverbervie in Scotland’s north east, while winds elsewhere reached up to 75mph.
Schools were closed in some parts of Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Aberdeenshire, and the roof of a school in Carnoustie, Angus, was damaged by the wind.
In Aberdeenshire, the council said several GP practices were operating emergency services only, as they were among those to have lost power supply.
Train operator Scot Rail is also running an emergency timetable with speed restrictions.
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A Met Office weather warning for high winds is in place until 2pm for Yorkshire and north-east England, and 3pm for Scotland, with the forecaster warning of power cuts, damage to buildings and potential injuries and danger to life from flying debris.
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Planes have struggled to land at Manchester Airport due to strong winds
In other Otto-related disruption on Friday:
• A1(M) was affected by a number of closures or delays due to overturned lorries – between J48 and 49, and 60 and 59
• A1(M) was closed to high-sided vehicles in both directions between J47 and 56
• Leeds Bradford Airport remained open but there was disruption to flights, a spokesperson said
• Some services cancelled by London North Eastern Railway
• A tree blocked the rail line between Harrogate and Knaresborough in Yorkshire
• There were reports of trees blocking roads in Harrogate and Leeds
Tynemouth beach
A Met Office spokesperson said: “The strong winds from Storm Otto will ease through the day as the low pressure moves out into the North Sea.
“After a relatively dry day with good sunny spells in places, cloud will build from the west this evening before rain and snow move across most parts overnight.”
Check the forecast in your area
Forecasters said snow is likely to fall in locations over 300 metres, with 2-5cm possible across the warning area, and 5-10cm over the highest locations.
“Rain and hill snow will ease in the early morning of Saturday, with some brightness, though rain will return later from the west. There will be some drizzly rain further south, but it will be mild with a few brighter spells by afternoon.
“Wet and windy conditions will return for the north of Scotland on Sunday as an area of low pressure skirts to the north of the UK.”
