Food trucks deployed as homes in the Borders remain without power two days after Storm Éowyn struck
Last updated 26th Jan 2025
A number of homes in the Scottish Borders are still without electricity - two days after Storm Éowyn struck.
It has left many without heating or hot water and, in some cases, no mobile signal, as temperatures plummeted.
SP Energy Networks says its engineers have been working through the night to restore power.
But it warns some residents may not be reconnected until Monday at the earliest.
Scottish Borders Council revealed it has responded to around 180 incidents during a day of drama, as winds of up to 100mph brought down trees and power lines.
A food truck was deployed to Lauder on Saturday. And volunteers have been going door-to-door to check the vulnerable. Libraries have also doubled as warm hubs.
Train services have resumed on the Borders Railway, but rail passengers using the East Coast Main Line were advised not to travel to or from stations north of Newcastle - including Berwick and Reston - while damage to the line was repaired.
In an update issued this morning (Sunday), Borders Buses says it is operating as normal. However, passengers are urged to check ahead before they travel with icy conditions combined with the aftermath of the storm expected to impact on some journeys.
A spokesperson for SP Energy Networks said: "Poor weather conditions across the weekend have affected progress in some areas to restore power, with a yellow weather warning remaining in place until 10am Sunday morning. There are still issues with access in some areas due to fallen trees and hard to reach locations.
"Storm Éowyn’s 100mph winds – one of the worst storms to hit central Southern Scotland in decades - caused extensive damage to the electricity network with severe damage in many areas which will take some time to repair."
SP Energy Networks revealed it has taken over 52,000 calls - the equivalent of a month’s worth of calls - each day.
Aileen Rourke, SP Energy Networks Scotland Distribution Director, said: "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. We’ve also worked with local authorities and other partners to arrange warm spaces for people to go to charge phones and get hot food and drinks.
“We’ve got our full resources working hard across the country to get people back on supply and will continue to work closely with the Scottish Government, local authorities and other services to support customers.”
Among the areas listed on the energy company's website waiting to be reconnected, a number of rural areas south of Jedburgh - including Camptown - are expected to be back online by 1pm on January 26th; and Rutherford, near Kelso, is estimated to be reconnected by 3pm.
A number of homes in the Tweed Valley are still without power, while it may be tomorrow (Monday) before a number of others have power restored - including Morebattle; Sinclair's Hill, near Duns; Foulden and Paxton; and areas around Chirnside.
All schools and colleges are due to reopen tomorrow, while NHS Borders attempts to reschedule appointments cancelled amid concerns over safety.
A spokesperson for the health board said: "We would like to thank everyone for their patience as we work to reschedule GP and treatment room appointments that were cancelled on Friday due to the red weather warning.
"A significant number of routine appointments had to be postponed, and we appreciate your understanding during this time.
"If you have any concerns regarding an appointment that was scheduled for Friday and had to be cancelled, and you have not yet received an alternative appointment, please get in touch with your GP practice next week.
"We expect that hospital appointments will run as planned from Monday onwards. If you had a hospital appointment scheduled for Friday, our booking team will contact you as soon as possible to rearrange this, if they have not already done so. Please wait to be contacted and do not call the BGH switchboard to ask for an update."
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