Storm Agnes: Urgent safety warning issued over power cuts as 75mph winds set to batter Scotland TOMORROW

An URGENT safety warning has been issued about power outages as Storm Agnes is set to hit Scotland tomorrow.

Met Office yellow weather warnings are in effect across the country from midday tomorrow until 7am Thursday.

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Heavy rain and strong winds gusting to 120km/h are expected to cause travel disruption and potentially affect power supplies and mobile phone reception.

Earlier, STV weatherman Sean Batty has predicted which parts of Scotland will be hardest hit by the storm.

It predicts the storm will hit the west coast, with winds of up to 120km/h expected in Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, Inverclyde and Argyll and Bute – with winds particularly strong in the Hebrides.

Electricity grid operator SP Energy Networks has issued safety advice to help customers during possible power outages caused by Storm Agnes.

And have put together five top tips for preparing in the event of a power outage.

Firstly, Scots should have the national emergency number 105 to immediately report any power outages.

Keep a battery or wind-up flashlight. Keep these in an easily accessible location so you can use the flashlight to check the fuse box and move around the house safely.

Be careful of fallen power lines. Power lines may have fallen due to strong winds. So be careful when leaving your home.

Always treat them as if they are alive, stay away and report them immediately to 105.

If your mobile phone is charged, you can call the national emergency number 105 if necessary. It is also worth having an analogue telephone as this is not connected to the mains.

If your power goes out, your heater may not work. Therefore, keep extra blankets nearby and close shutters, blinds or curtains to keep the heat inside

Guy Jefferson, chief operating officer of SP Energy Networks, said: “High winds and heavy rain increase the potential for damage to our power lines and the possibility of power outages across our network.”

“We have proven plans in place to ensure we can respond as quickly as possible when issues arise and have additional resources in the regions likely to be affected. However, it is important that our customers are also prepared if the worst comes to the worst.”

“The most important thing to do if you experience a power outage is to let us know as soon as possible. Please don’t assume we already know – report it to us by calling the national emergency number 105.”

“The sooner we know about any power outages, the quicker we can have our technicians on site and work to restore your service.”

Earlier today, weather influences increased the wind speeds of Storm Agnes, warning that the strong gusts that could arrive tomorrow could be stronger than initially feared.

With wind speeds of 120km/h expected along the coast, the updated warning was justified as follows: “The likelihood of impacts has increased, particularly in the south west of Scotland.”

Storm Agnes is the first named storm of the fall, forming as Tropical Storm Ophelia on the East Coast of the United States.

The rest of the country will also be hit hard, with winds between 40 and 60 miles per hour.

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