Storm Gerrit Leaves Thousands of Homes Powerless
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has restored power to over 46,000 properties that were affected by the storm, with the north east and Shetland being the worst affected areas.
The remaining homes are expected to be reconnected on Friday, with welfare vans providing hot food and drinks to affected customers starting at 9 a.m.
Operations director Andy Smith expressed gratitude to the affected communities for their patience and support as the teams work to restore power.
National Grid UK reported that 36,000 properties in Ceredigion were without power on Thursday due to lightning strikes.
Three men died after their 4×4 vehicle was submerged in the River Esk near Glaisdale on Thursday, as confirmed by North Yorkshire Police.
A supercell thunderstorm moved across the northwest of England on Thursday, following a similar storm that is thought to have caused a tornado in Greater Manchester on Wednesday, resulting in damage to homes.
Around 100 properties were damaged by what police described as a “localised tornado” in Stalybridge, Tameside and in the badly-hit village of Carrbrook.
Hayley McCaffer, a resident of Carrbrook, reported that some of her neighbors’ houses have missing roofs and damaged cars.
The Association of British Insurers stated that damage will be covered by standard property insurance policies.
Rail services were affected in Wales until Monday, and ferry services experienced cancellations and delays due to storm activity, with sailings between Dover and France being delayed due to strong winds in the English Channel, according to operator DFDS.
Air travel in and out of the UK saw cancellations, but most services have returned to normal.
The Met Office reported that the worst of Storm Gerrit has passed, with the last few days of 2023 forecasted to be unsettled with strong winds, rain, and even snow on higher ground.
Met Office chief forecaster Steven Ramsdale said: “Heavy rain will spread across all but the far north on Saturday, affecting similar areas previously affected by Storm Gerrit. However, this rainfall will be a step down from that seen during Storm Gerrit.”
