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Power cuts and travel disruption as Storm Gertrude hits Britain Power cuts and travel disruption as Storm Gertrude hits Britain
(about 5 hours later)
About 8,500 properties in Scotland are without electricity as Storm Gertrude sweeps across Britain causing power cuts and travel disruption and triggering a red weather warning. Storm Gertrude has swept across Britain bringing 100mph-plus winds, power cuts to thousands of homes and travel disruption, along with more unusual hazards including flying trampolines and a rabbit blown onto a roof.
Emergency services were called after two lorries were blown over on the A96 near Huntly, in Aberdeenshire, and on the M9 near Dunblane, Stirling, in the early hours. The extent of any injuries is not known. Scotland and Northern Ireland were particularly affected as the storm swept in from the Atlantic, with wind gusts reaching 144mph in the Cairngorms and the Met Office issuing for a period a rare “red” weather warning for Shetland, requiring locals to take action.
Drivers also had to avoid a trampoline that had been tossed on to the Newtonhill flyover near the A90 in Aberdeen at around 6am. Police Scotland said a member of the public moved it from the road and officers were not needed. A force spokesman advised people to peg down trampolines and garden furniture in high winds. Gusts in some areas of Scotland have reached 91mph. Related: Extreme weather in the UK: help us document the effects of Storm Gertrude
Northern Ireland has been battered by 70mph gales bringing down trees, closing roads, and damaging power lines, leaving 5,000 households without power. Gales in Northern Ireland reached 70mph, bringing down trees, closing roads, and damaging power lines, leaving 5,000 households without electricity.
Heavy rain, snow and ice were forecast in some areas on Friday as the extreme weather continued. A Met Office said a red “take action” wind warning was in place for Shetland. It is the first red warning this month. Scottish Hydro said it was working to reconnect hundreds of homes in the west and north-east of Scotland that had lost power in the winds. A spokesperson said: “We have 400 frontline and support staff standing by and we have moved engineers to the areas we expect to be hit by the storm. Mobile generators and other resources are also being moved.”
An amber “be prepared” warning for wind is in place for Northern Ireland, Scotland and north-west and north-east England, and yellow “be aware” warnings for rain, snow and ice are in place across much of the UK. All schools in the Northern and Western Isles were closed and train and ferry services vastly reduced in Scotland.
Storm Gertrude arrived on Thursday night from the Atlantic on a powerful jet stream. Severe gales of up to 100mph are expected on Friday afternoon. A man in Edinburgh was treated in hospital after he was struck by flying debris. He suffered head injuries but is said to be in a stable condition.
Paul Gundersen, the chief operational meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “A rapidly deepening area of low pressure is expected to bring a spell of severe weather across northern Britain on Friday. Emergency services were earlier called after two lorries were blown over on the A96 near Huntly, in Aberdeenshire, and on the M9 near Dunblane, Stirling, in the early hours, leaving a number of people injured.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the people in the car managed to get themselves clear but the lorry driver had to be freed by firefighters. The occupants of both vehicles suffered a variety of injuries but none are believed to be life-threatening.
In more surprising hazards, drivers on the Newtonhill flyover near the A90 in Aberdeen had to avoid a trampoline blown onto the road early on Friday. A police spokesman advised people to peg down trampolines and garden furniture in the high winds.
Speaking of surprises, a pet rabbit in Northern Ireland had to be rescued by firefighters from the roof of his owner’s home in Omagh, Co Tyrone, after the winds knocked over his hutch and catapulted him into the air.
A firefighter used a ladder to reach the rabbit, Bumper, before calming him with a rabbit and bringing him down unharmed. In a more minor ordeal, Bumper has now been renamed Gertrude by his owner in honour of the storm.
As well as the 144mph wind in the Cairngorms, a gust of 105mph was recorded in Lerwick, Shetland at 2pm, with other winds above 80mph battering Inverbervie in Aberdeenshire.
Gusts of 91mph were recorded in South Uist, in the Western Isles, and on the mainland winds of 69mph hit the Forth road bridge and Inverbervie in Aberdeenshire.
Almost 40 flood warnings were put in place by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency covering Ayrshire, Tayside, west central Scotland and the Highlands.
A landslide closed the A82 at Letterfinlay, in the Highlands, resulting in a 150-mile (240km) diversion for journeys between Fort William and Inverness. Other routes were disrupted by fallen trees,
Among those facing travel disruption was David Cameron, caught up on his way to Belgium for EU talks. Speaking on BBC Good Morning Scotland, he said he had already faced a problem with one flight, and was “racing across Scotland at the moment to get to Edinburgh airport”.
. Gertrude had arrived on Thursday night from the Atlantic on a powerful jet stream, with forecasters expecting heavy rain, snow and ice to hit areas through the weekend.
On Friday evening a series of yellow and amber weather warnings remained in place, particularly for Scotland and Northern Ireland, but also South Wales and the west of England.
As well as high winds, the weather warnings cautioned of potentially heavy rain, and, further north, the possibility of snow.
#StormGertrude has been officially named and will bring severe gales to parts of N Britain https://t.co/ziqeF8QF1E pic.twitter.com/FYjsmq4R2G#StormGertrude has been officially named and will bring severe gales to parts of N Britain https://t.co/ziqeF8QF1E pic.twitter.com/FYjsmq4R2G
“There remains some uncertainty over the exact track and intensity of the storm, so people are urged to keep up to date with the latest UK forecast and severe weather warnings so that they can prepare for the weather.”
He added: “However, there is higher confidence now in the likelihood of a period of very strong winds early on Friday with a spell of storm-force winds across the Northern Isles.” Usually seen in polar regions, people in Scotland spotted these unusual #nacreous clouds early this morning pic.twitter.com/MwZaaxjX6Z
Almost 40 flood warnings have been put in place by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency covering Ayrshire, Tayside, west central Scotland and the Highlands.
A landslide closed the A82 at Letterfinlay, in the Highlands, resulting in a 150-mile (240km) diversion for journeys between Fort William and Inverness.
Other routes have been disrupted by fallen trees, and the Forth, Tay and Kessock bridges have been closed.
Related: Storm Gertrude's high winds and heavy rain to cause travel disruptionRelated: Storm Gertrude's high winds and heavy rain to cause travel disruption
Gusts of 91mph were recorded in South Uist, in the Western Isles, and on the mainland winds of 69mph hit the Forth road bridge and Inverbervie in Aberdeenshire.
Wind speeds are expected to reach about 65mph in the Scottish Borders and north-east England later in the day and will push 80mph in North Yorkshire.
The energy firm Scottish Hydro said it was working to reconnect hundreds of homes in the west and north-east of Scotland that had lost power in the high winds. A spokesperson said: “We have 400 frontline and support staff standing by and we have moved engineers to the areas we expect to be hit by the storm. Mobile generators and other resources are also being moved.
“Members of the public should not approach fallen or damaged power lines, which may still be live.” .
All schools in the Northern and Western Isles have been closed and train and ferry services vastly reduced in Scotland.
ScotRail announced a raft of cancellations, particularly affecting the Highlands, with 18 services disrupted. Operators said hundreds of engineers would be deployed across the network to inspect lines, repair damage and reopen routes as quickly as possible.ScotRail announced a raft of cancellations, particularly affecting the Highlands, with 18 services disrupted. Operators said hundreds of engineers would be deployed across the network to inspect lines, repair damage and reopen routes as quickly as possible.
Phil Verster, the alliance managing director at ScotRail, said: “We will be withdrawing some services until the worst of the storm has passed. The safety of our passengers and workforce is our top priority and we cannot run services on these lines until our engineers have thoroughly inspected the network for any damage.”Phil Verster, the alliance managing director at ScotRail, said: “We will be withdrawing some services until the worst of the storm has passed. The safety of our passengers and workforce is our top priority and we cannot run services on these lines until our engineers have thoroughly inspected the network for any damage.”
Derek Mackay, Scotland’s transport minister, said: “We are in regular contact with the transport operators regarding the situation. They do not take the decision to cancel services lightly but safety is paramount.”Derek Mackay, Scotland’s transport minister, said: “We are in regular contact with the transport operators regarding the situation. They do not take the decision to cancel services lightly but safety is paramount.”
A succession of storms since December – including Desmond, Eva and Frank – have caused widespread flooding and travel disruption. The latest front is expected to stay through the weekend. A succession of storms since December – including Desmond, Eva and Frank – have caused widespread flooding and travel disruption..