Power Cuts, Travel Disruption as Storm Gertrude Hits Britain
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – About 8,500 properties in Scotland are without electricity as Storm Gertrude sweeps across Britain causing power cuts and travel disruption and triggering a red weather warning, with a speed of 132 mph recorded in Cairngorm Summit.
Emergency services were called after two lorries were blown over on the A96 near Huntly, in Aberdeenshire, and on the M9 near Dunblane, Stirling, in the early hours. The extent of any injuries is not known.
A gust in Cairngorm Summit has reached 132 mph, and in some areas of Scotland 91mph.
Northern Ireland has been battered by 70mph gales bringing down trees, closing roads, and damaging power lines, leaving 5,000 households without power.
Heavy rain, snow and ice were forecast in some areas on Friday as the extreme weather continued. A Met Office said a red “take action” wind warning was in place for Shetland. It is the first red warning this month.
An amber “be prepared” warning for wind is in place for Northern Ireland, Scotland and north-west and north-east England, and yellow “be aware” warnings for rain, snow and ice are in place across much of the UK.
Storm Gertrude arrived on Thursday night from the Atlantic on a powerful jet stream. Severe gales of up to 100mph are expected on Friday afternoon.
Almost 40 flood warnings have been put in place by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency covering Ayrshire, Tayside, west central Scotland and the Highlands.
A landslide closed the A82 at Letterfinlay, in the Highlands, resulting in a 150-mile (240km) diversion for journeys between Fort William and Inverness.
Other routes have been disrupted by fallen trees, and the Forth, Tay and Kessock bridges have been closed.
Gusts of 91mph were recorded in South Uist, in the Western Isles, and on the mainland winds of 69mph hit the Forth road bridge and Inverbervie in Aberdeenshire.
Wind speeds are expected to reach about 65mph in the Scottish Borders and north-east England later in the day and will push 80mph in North Yorkshire.
A succession of storms since December – including Desmond, Eva and Frank – have caused widespread flooding and travel disruption. The latest front is expected to stay through the weekend.
