17,000 homes into fourth day without power following Storm Arwen
SSEN says there is extensive damage to its network.
At least 17,000 Scottish homes have spend a fourth night without power as engineers battle to repair electricity lines in the north east of Scotland.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) says the network remains at red-alert status for the area after the devastation caused by Storm Arwen on Friday night.
Since the storm hit, SSEN says power has been restored to over 103,000 customers in total, but thousands are still without water and electricity.
Which areas are affected?
It's estimated at least 17,000 people are still without power, This includes customers in the following regions:
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire: 9,700 homes
Moray: 3,500 homes
Angus: 1,600 homes
Perthshire: 1,700 homes
Mark Rough, director of customer operations at SSEN, said:"We continue to make good progress following the extensive network damage caused by Storm Arwen, with additional teams assisting with restoration efforts and major connections made to locations such as Ballater and Braemar.
"Our engineers are still experiencing challenging conditions and multiple faults on individual circuits, with complex repairs under way that will take longer than normal.
"The extent of the damage is also hampering the ability to re-route the network to restore supply.
"We recognise that another day without power brings additional concern to those affected, and I'd like to apologise to all customers for the ongoing disruption and assure them that we are doing all we can to restore power.
"We continue to prioritise support for vulnerable customers, through co-ordination with our resilience partners, and are also offering to reimburse reasonable costs for accommodation, where customers do not have any alternative option."
With Customer Contact Centre lines remaining extremely busy, we continue to encourage customers impacted to only phone if it is an emergency or if they need extra help, to keep the line clear for vulnerable customers who may need extra support."
Welfare facilities
Facilities for those without power or water are continuing to operate for those who remain off supply. Rest centres have been established at the following locations:
Ballater at the Victoria and Albert Hall
Eassie & Nevay Hall
Fintry, Knockraich Farm
Strathyre Primary School
Aberfoyle Primary School
Additionally, the following welfare facilities will continue to support customers who remain off supply and will continue to provide hot food and drinks from 7am this morning.
Aboyne, Old Huntly Car Park
Alford, Transport Museum Car Park
Fintry, Knockraich Farm
Glenshee, Dalrulzion Hotel
Kintore, Primary School
Kirriemuir, Near Bon Scott Statue
Rhynie, North Parish Church, Essie Road
Strathdon, Layby at Bellabeg
Tarland, The Square
Torphins, The Square
Turriff, Tesco Car Park
SSEN says teams areusing 4X4 vehicles to deliver hot food and drinks to customers on the Priority Services Register in some of the more remote and isolated communities.
More follows.