About 40,000 people in Scotland remained without electricity on Saturday night in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn and some may have to wait several days before it is restored, according to an energy distribution director.
As of 4pm on Saturday, about 28,000 Scottish Power customers were without power, while as of 7.30pm, about 12,000 Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) customers were also without power.
SSEN said it had restored power to about 78,000 customers, and Scottish Power to about 192,000, all of whom had been cut off because of Friday’s storm.
Scottish Power said there were still issues with repair work in certain areas because of high winds, snow, ice and debris.
The Met Office has issued fresh yellow weather warnings covering the whole of Scotland including one for wind in the northern and western Highlands from 6pm on Saturday to 6am on Sunday.
A yellow weather warning for snow and ice has also been issued for the far north and west of the country, beginning at 6pm on Saturday and expiring at 10am on Sunday.
Aileen Rourke, Scottish Power Energy Networks Scotland’s distribution director, said: “This is one of the most severe storms we’ve had in decades and the damage to the network from those hurricane-force winds is extensive.
“Continuing difficult conditions today are also affecting progress in reaching certain areas and engineers working at height, with high winds continuing.
“Unfortunately, the severity of the storm and damage means in some areas it could take several days to restore power.
“We know it is difficult for customers and are updating them on likely timescales to help them plan for the coming days.
“Hotel accommodation is being provided where possible and food vouchers as well as food trucks in the most badly affected areas.”
The Spanish-named Storm Herminia is forecast to follow on from Éowyn on Sunday but will be focused in the south-west and is expected to bring incessant rain, gales and hill snow.
It will not be as powerful as Éowyn but there is a greater risk of damage for a storm of its size as it may move across already-damaged infrastructure.