Storm Gerrit has left more than 1,500 homes without power in Scotland.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said it had restored power to more than 46,000 homes without electricity due to the storm, with those in the North East and Shetland Islands worst affected. They said social assistance vans would be distributing hot food and drink to affected customers and the remaining homes should be reconnected on Friday. Its operations director, Andy Smith, said:
This has been a difficult couple of days for the communities affected and I’m grateful to them for their patience and support as our teams work extremely hard to restore power.
National Grid UK said 36,000 homes were left without power in Ceredigion in west Wales on Thursday after being struck by lightning.
On Thursday, North Yorkshire Police said three people died after their four-wheel drive vehicle was submerged in the River Esk, near Glaisdale.
A supercell of thunderstorms travelled across north-west England on Thursday after a similar thunderstorm is thought to have led to a tornado damaging homes in Greater Manchester on Wednesday.
About 100 homes were damaged in what police described as a “localised tornado” in Stalybridge, Tameside, and the heavily damaged village of Carrbrook.
Damage will be covered by standard property insurance policies, the Association of British Insurers said.
The Meteorological Office said the worst of the storm, Gerrit, had already passed, and erratic weather with strong winds, rain and snow at higher elevations was expected in the last few days of 2023. The 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.
