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Scotland storm: Work to restore power to homes Scotland storm: Work to restore power to homes
(about 1 hour later)
The Scottish government is warning that some people may not get the electricity back on in their homes until the weekend after the worst storm in a decade. Engineers are trying to reconnect more than 70,000 Scottish homes left without power overnight but many may not have electricity until the weekend.
Engineers are battling to reconnect more than 70,000 homes which were without power after the storms. Thursday's storm, the worst of its kind in a decade, brought down trees, closed roads and schools and knocked out power lines.
Most schools are expected to reopen after many councils and businesses closed early on Thursday. The storm eased in the central belt on Thursday evening but caused problems across the north and north east.
There is still some disruption to travel services.There is still some disruption to travel services.
Storm-force winds on Thursday brought down trees, closed roads and knocked out power lines. Scottish Hydro, which is part of power giant SSE, said 70,000 customers were without electricity - 31,000 of which are in Argyll.
About 150,000 homes are thought to have lost power during the day. About 9,000 households do not have electricity in the north east of Scotland, including Banchory, Ballater, Inverurie, Fochabers and Stonehaven.
The Scottish government said the storms had eased over the central belt. The energy firm said it hoped most homes would have power by the end of Friday - but some people may have to wait until Saturday or Sunday.
However, the storms later caused disruption across the Highlands, Moray, north Aberdeenshire and Orkney. About 150,000 homes are thought to have lost power during the day on Thursday.
Overnight severe winds washed away part of a causeway road on the Orkney island of Hoy. Overnight, severe winds washed away part of a causeway road on the Orkney island of Hoy.
Part of the road surface of the Ayre, which links the communities of Hoy and South Walls, broke up after 22:00 on Thursday and the road remains completely impassable.Part of the road surface of the Ayre, which links the communities of Hoy and South Walls, broke up after 22:00 on Thursday and the road remains completely impassable.
There are fears more damage could be caused at high tide. There are currently 2,000 homes without power across the islands.
There are currently 800 homes without power across the islands.
All schools on Orkney remain closed and BBC Radio Orkney went off air after the transmitter was damaged in the storm.All schools on Orkney remain closed and BBC Radio Orkney went off air after the transmitter was damaged in the storm.
In Aberdeen, several families were evacuated from a tenement in the Kincorth area after the gable end of a house collapsed on to a car.In Aberdeen, several families were evacuated from a tenement in the Kincorth area after the gable end of a house collapsed on to a car.
No-one was injured.No-one was injured.
The families have been put up in emergency accommodation until the building can be made safe.
One electricity worker in the Scottish Borders had a lucky escape on Thursday night.One electricity worker in the Scottish Borders had a lucky escape on Thursday night.
He got out of his van to check lines near Walkerburn and came back to find a tree had fallen on it.He got out of his van to check lines near Walkerburn and came back to find a tree had fallen on it.
Grampian Police said there had been several early morning road crashes in which motorists had driven into trees lying on the road.Grampian Police said there had been several early morning road crashes in which motorists had driven into trees lying on the road.
Grampian Fire and Rescue dealt with 75 storm-related call-outs on Thursday night, three times the normal amount.Grampian Fire and Rescue dealt with 75 storm-related call-outs on Thursday night, three times the normal amount.
Many calls were to remove trees and chimney pots and a number of trampolines which had blown away.Many calls were to remove trees and chimney pots and a number of trampolines which had blown away.
They also put out grass fires caused by electrical cables coming down.They also put out grass fires caused by electrical cables coming down.
A senior fire officer told the BBC it was the most severe storm in his 20 years of service.A senior fire officer told the BBC it was the most severe storm in his 20 years of service.
In the Highlands, the Skye Bridge remains closed to high-sided vehicles.In the Highlands, the Skye Bridge remains closed to high-sided vehicles.
The A82 at Corran is closed due to a landslide and will remain shut until at least 10:00 when a review will take place.
All schools in Caithness and the north coast of Sutherland will be closed.All schools in Caithness and the north coast of Sutherland will be closed.
Scottish and Southern Energy/Scottish Hydro said on Friday morning there were 70,000 customers without electricity.Scottish and Southern Energy/Scottish Hydro said on Friday morning there were 70,000 customers without electricity.
Scottish Hydro, which supplies most areas north of Stirling, said all parts of its region were affected.Scottish Hydro, which supplies most areas north of Stirling, said all parts of its region were affected.
Scottish Power, which is responsible for supply in the southern part of Scotland, said it had 2,500 homes without power at 08:00 on Friday. Scottish Power, which is responsible for supply in the southern part of Scotland, said it had 2,500 homes without power.
It said the figure had been 45,000 at its peak on Thursday.It said the figure had been 45,000 at its peak on Thursday.
Guy Jefferson, operations director at Scottish Power, said the problems were across the region from Stranraer to St Andrews but the biggest remaining problems were in Ayrshire and Fife.
He said he hoped to get its customers reconnected by the end of Friday but it would be a "gigantic" task.
A wind turbine at Ardrossan Wind Farm, near the A78 in North Ayrshire, was destroyed after it caught fire.
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service said it had a high number of calls as the 328ft (100m) tall turbine could be seen "far and wide".
Strong winds forced the closure of every major bridge in Scotland: the Forth Road Bridge between Edinburgh and Fife; the Erskine Bridge, which connects Renfrewshire and Dunbartonshire; the Skye Bridge; and Tay Road Bridge.
Glasgow was one of the worst-hit areas on Thursday, with 71mph winds recorded at lunchtime.
Across Scotland local authorities have been assessing structural damage to schools and council properties.Across Scotland local authorities have been assessing structural damage to schools and council properties.
Many were hoping that schools and nurseries could reopen on Friday, but some were due to asses the situation in the morning.
All of Edinburgh's Christmas attractions in east Princes Street Gardens including the big wheel, and Christmas market, reopened after being closed on Thursday.All of Edinburgh's Christmas attractions in east Princes Street Gardens including the big wheel, and Christmas market, reopened after being closed on Thursday.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who has been chairing the Scottish government's resilience committee, said: "While the worst of the weather has subsided across the central belt, other areas of the country are still experiencing severe conditions.
"Contractors are working hard to resolve remaining issues on our roads and with power supplies.
"I would urge all members of the public to continue to take care and heed advice from police and travel authorities.
"The situation across the country will be monitored overnight and the resilience committee will meet again at 08:30 hours tomorrow morning to assess the position."
However, Ms Sturgeon warned that some customers may not be reconnected before the weekend.
Have you been affected by the storms? You can send your comments and weather pictures to the BBC using the form below:Have you been affected by the storms? You can send your comments and weather pictures to the BBC using the form below:
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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