STATEMENT FROM OLECG AHEAD OF PREDICTED STORMY WEATHER.... The multi-agency Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordinating Group (OLECG) is advising the community to be prepared severe weather conditions over two days later this week. The group met today in response to predictions of very strong winds over a 48-hour period from late on Thursday evening (January 8). The Met Office has issued an Amber be prepared warning for the Northern Isles. This covers the period from 10pm on Thursday to 12 noon on Friday (January 9), when very strong westerly winds are forecast for the Western Isles, the north and northwest of the Scottish mainland, and Orkney. Gusts of 80 to 90 mph are likely quite widely with a risk of gusts of over 100 mph in places. A Yellow be aware warning is in place from midnight to 6pm on Saturday (January 10), when very strong westerly winds are forecast for the northern Isles and northern Scotland. Gusts to 70 mph are likely, while gusts of 90 mph are possible in exposed areas. Temporary Chief Inspector Gordon Deans, Police Scotlands Area Commander for Orkney, chaired the OLECG meeting. He said: Our aim is to ensure that key agencies are prepared for eventualities linked to the weather conditions predicted for later this week. As the forecast stands, there is likely to be travel disruption on the Churchill Barriers, with a lot of spray on roads and other areas facing to the west. Disruption is also likely on internal and external ferry and air routes. Our advice is to keep an eye on weather forecasts and keep in touch with transport providers. In preparation for the predicted conditions, Scottish Hydro has drafted in additional linesmen as part of contingency plans for potential power cuts in Orkney. He added: With strong winds, there is always the possibility that some homes may be affected by a loss of power. In those circumstances, we would ask friends, family and neighbours to keep an eye on people who may be experiencing problems as a result. We would ask that people ensure that anything that could be blown about is safely stowed away or tied down - strips of plastic or polythene, for instance, can cause power cuts if they get wrapped around power lines. In the event of power cuts, OLECG is advising that care is taken when using candles. These should be in candle holders that cannot be knocked over, kept away from anything that could catch fire such as curtains and cushions, and never left unattended. Open fires should not be left unattended without a fireguard. Anyone needing to contact Police Scotland should dial 101 or 999 in an emergency. Orkney Islands Council is advising that because of the predicted conditions, there is likely to be widespread disruption to school transport as well as possible school closures on Friday. A further update on this will be issued tomorrow. Weather and transport advice is available via: orkney.gov.uk - go to Adverse Weather Alerts from the home page. These include a link to the Councils new @OIC_Roads Twitter feed, where updates are posted if the Churchill Barriers are affected by the prevailing weather and tidal conditions. Met Office forecast and weather warnings: metoffice.gov.uk/ SEPA flood warnings: floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates/ Radio Orkneys Facebook page. orcadian.co.uk orkneyferries.co.uk northlinkferries.co.uk pentlandferries.co.uk hial.co.uk/kirkwall-airport/
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 17:03:52 +0000
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