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Storm Frank: Hundreds of homes remain without power in north-east

Ballater rescue effort yesterday
Ballater rescue effort yesterday

More than a hundred engineers and technical staff from Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution are working in Ballater to restore power supplies in the aftermath of Storm Frank.

The severe flooding that hit the Aberdeenshire village washed away some of SHEPD’s electricity poles; landslides made roads impassable; and flood waters made some substations inaccessible.

Overnight engineers reconnected supply to properties where it was safe to do so.

SHEPD engineers are working with Police Scotland and other agencies to gain entry to homes to carry out a safety assessment before reconnecting them to the mains network.

A statement from SHEPD said: “With rains and strong winds subsiding, we now have three helicopters flying over Ballater and the north east of Scotland to assess any other damage to the network and to carry out repairs. Our teams of engineers and welfare staff have also been able to gain access to the village and surrounding areas.

“SHEPD is advising residents of flooded properties in Ballater to speak to one of its engineers in the village before attempting to switch on the power supply.”

200 properties are currently off supply in Ballater itself, another 250 are without power in the surrounding areas.

Besides Ballater our engineers are working hard to restore supply to customers in the following areas:

22 customers Newtonhill, Stonehaven

13 customers Garthdee, Aberdeen

50 customers Peterculter

131 customers Archiestown, Aberlour

220 customers in Meikleour, Perthshire

As well as reconnecting power supplies, SHEPD has also rolled out its welfare programme in Ballater and nearby Braemar. A mobile catering unit providing free hot food and drink is in Ballater, with a food and welfare unit in Braemar.

Welfare teams are also on the ground to ensure that vulnerable customers on SHEPD’s priority services register are catered for.

SHEPD has also contracted a firm of specialists to carry out house-to-house electrical safety checks.

Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution has set up a hub in Craigendarroch Hotel in Ballater from where all our technical, safety and welfare operation is being co-ordinated. Residents with any welfare or electrical safety issues are urged to contact our staff at the hotel.