Power restored across Tayside after Storms Corrie and Malik – but more strong winds predicted

By Alasdair Clark

February 3 2022, 6:56pm

Engineers reconnecting the supply in Edzell.

All homes in Tayside that were left without power due to Storms Corrie and Malik have had their supply reconnected.

Angus Council has confirmed that everyone affected by the severe winds at the weekend has now had power restored.

Some properties on the Angus-Aberdeenshire border, including Edzell, had been left without any electricity for days in the wake of the extreme weather.

Some Angus roads remain closed

A number of properties in the Glenshee area of Perthshire were also affected after forecasters issued a “danger to life” warning for winds of up to 90mph.

However, some minor roads in Angus remain closed as work goes on to clear fallen trees.

We still have road closures on:

U433 Templewood B966 to C35
U388 Brewlands at Estate House
U391(1) Lintrathen Glen Isla

This is due to the need for heavy plant to assist in tree removal, so may be a few more days

— Angus Council (@AngusCouncil) February 3, 2022

A tweet from the local authority said: “We’re happy to report that all power has been restored to properties across Tayside, so if you are still experiencing any issues, please contact SSEN on 105 to report.

“Wind is forecast for Friday and the weekend. Please avoid wooded areas as damaged trees may be dangerous.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our resilience partners once again for coming together to combat the effects of Storms Malik and Corrie.”

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said the storms had caused “significant damage” to parts of the network.

Access to repair damage was also difficult due to fallen trees blocking routes in and out of some areas.

B966 at Edzell — Trees blocking the main road into Edzell.

The damage to woodland shocked many towns and villages, including in Edzell where a tree fell on to a house.

Edzell councillor Bob Myles says the devastation has shocked the village.

He said: “It’s so sad to see an area of woodland damaged to this extent.

“These trees are 50 to 60 years old. This is now going to have to be cleared and replanted.

“It’s going to take time a long time to do this.”

‘Remedial repairs and identify any further damage’

Richard Gough, director of distribution system operations at SSEN, said: “I would like to thank our communities for their continued patience as our teams have worked hard to restore power in challenging circumstances.

“Coming just weeks after the extensive damage caused by Storm Arwen, the dual impact of Storms Malik and Corrie posed a significant and unique challenge, with often complex repairs being undertaken while battling conditions and balancing priorities.

“I’d also like to recognise the remarkable efforts of teams from SSEN, other electricity network companies and contract partners across the UK and Ireland, whose hard work in very challenging conditions has helped us to restore power safely to communities across the North of Scotland and ensured our customers were supported.

“Equally, the close co-operation with local resilience partners, who did a fantastic job in supporting customers and communities on the ground, has been great to see.

“Our concentration and alert status remain the same for the time being as we focus on repairing the network damage needed for system resilience, but not affecting customer supplies.

“SSEN teams will carry out remedial repairs and identify any further damage on our localised network.

“We have contacted all customers involved in the power restoration activities today and we are asking any customers who are returning to an unoccupied property or who have not been in contact with us and are still without power, to contact 105 as soon as possible.”