Second storm this weekend "may be worse"

Some homes in Scotland could be without power for the rest of the weekend as the impact of another storm due to hit on Sunday could be worse than anticipated.

The First Minister chaired a Scottish Government resilience meeting on Saturday as winds of more than 100mph were recorded.

A 60-year-old woman was killed in the Sheddocksley area of Aberdeen when she was hit by a falling tree.

On Twitter, Nicola Sturgeon said the impact of Storm Malik had been "severe", but that Storm Corrie - due to hit from Sunday afternoon - "may be more severe for parts of Scotland".

"Unfortunately as #Malik subsides, Storm #Corrie is about to hit from late tomorrow afternoon & may be more severe for parts of Scotland - eg Highlands, Grampian, Tayside than anticipated," she said.

"Please follow @metoffice for any updates to the weather warnings in place."

There are currently 209 power outages across Scotland, most of which are in the north-east or north of the country, according to the Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks.

"Impact of Storm #Malik is severe," the First Minister said.

"Power companies working hard to restore supply ASAP but many SSEN customers, esp in (north east) may be without power over weekend.

"Importance of welfare support and good communication stressed."

As of 10pm on Saturday, 23,000 households across the north and north-east of Scotland were without power, with SSEN saying attempts to reconnect them would be "likely to extend across multiple days" with customers being told to consider making "alternative arrangements".

The areas which are likely to be most affected by prolonged outages are:

• North East - Aberchider, Finzean, Monymusk, Newburgh, Rothienorman, Strachan, Whitehouse- Alford

• Grantown on Spey area - Balindalloch, Boat of Garten, Dalwhinnie, Kingussie

In addition, SSEN is providing welfare facilities deployed to the following locations today (Sunday)

• Aberchirder, Bowling Club car park – Steak Bar

• Aviemore, Forestry Commission Car Park, Cairngorm Road – Whytes Food Van –

• Braemar (location TBC),

• Banff, Banff Springs Hotel layby - The One Pot Stop

• Dulnain Bridge, Roches Moutonnees Carpark – Highland Hog Roast Food Van

• Fyvie, outside the Co-op– Steak Bar

• Kemnay, Aquithie Road – Steak Bar

• Kintore, Chip Shop – Fish & Chips

• Macduff, The Knowes Hotel

• Methlick – Fish & Chips

• Tarland, The Square – Steak Bar

• Whitehills, The Galley Seafood Restaurant & Café

• Whitestone (location TBC)

SSEN said it had moved to "red alert status", with director of distribution system operations Richard Gough saying: "Whilst our teams have made good progress and have restored power to the majority of customers affected by Storm Malik, due to the extent of damage caused, alongside the likely impact of Storm Corrie, we expect the full restoration of customer supplies from both storms to extend across multiple days."

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said in a statement on Saturday up to 20,000 customers could be without power overnight.

"The Scottish Government's resilience committee will continue to monitor the situation overnight and into tomorrow, and keep Ministers fully updated," he added.

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