Storm Gerrit batters UK as 18,000 homes without power with 'miles of vehicles' stuck
Severe weather has disrupted travel up and down the UK, ITV News North of England Reporter Kelly Foran reports
Storm Gerrit has led to 27,000 homes in Scotland losing power, with severe disruption caused to travel networks across the UK.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said as of 4.30pm on Wednesday supplies had been restored to around 8,500 properties, with more than 18,500 still cut off.
The firm warned some could face 48 hours without power.
Many parts of the UK are covered by yellow wind and rain warnings on Wednesday, as issued by the Met Office, with wintry hazards also likely, forecasters warned.
Wind warnings are in place for the south of England and across the English Channel coast as well as parts of western Wales, north-west England, Northern Ireland, northern Scotland and the northern isles.
The fastest recorded wind gust so far is 86mph at Inverbervie on the north-east coast of Scotland.
Andy Smith, SSEN Distribution operations director, said: "Our teams are making good progress, reconnecting almost 8,500 homes, but ongoing adverse weather conditions and challenges with road access means it will take time to complete all repairs.
"Some customers in rural areas where there are multiple points of damage may be without power until Friday."
Scotland has been the worst hit with snowfall leading to parts of the A9 being closed off near Drumtocher in the Highlands, before snowploughs were able to clear a path.
Police Scotland advised drivers to stay in their vehicles, keep warm and tune into local radio or social media for further updates.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, Police Scotland Highland and Islands said the road is now open in both directions but advised drivers to travel only if necessary.
A spokesperson wrote: “The A9 has fully reopened in both directions following earlier closures due to adverse weather.
“The road is passable with care, however motorists are advised to only travel if essential and extra caution should be exercised.”
Richard Nasmyth was stuck on the A9 for more than six hours with his wife and daughter.
He told ITV News "hundreds of cars were backed up" saying there was a five-mile tailback "at least".
As ITV News spoke to Richard Nasmyth while he was stuck on the A9 a snowplough went past
He said he was around four miles from Dalwhinnie and believed cars were unable to enter it, with those that could turning around and going back the other way.
He said the police knocked on his window earlier in the day and informed him they and the ploughs were also stuck.
As ITV News spoke to Mr Nasmyth a new plough drove past their car clearing the way.
He said: "There's nothing you can do about it when nature's doing its thing."
Train services were also impacted with all journeys between Edinburgh and Helensburgh Central being cancelled as a result of a tree falling on the track and flooding between Lockerbie and Carlisle means all rail lines are blocked between those stations.
ScotRail warned there would be heavy disruption across its services with speed restrictions in place.
Avanti West Coast, which operates services on the West Coast Main Line, said its route to Scotland is impassable, with all services to and from London terminating at Preston.
In England, the Environment Agency had five flood warnings and 100 lesser flood alerts in place.
Train operator LNER has advised customers not to travel due to the severe weather and said short-term cancellations are likely.
Air and sea traffic has also been disrupted with eighteen domestic flights from Heathrow cancelled, with several ferry operations also paused.
On England's roads, the M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire closed in both directions due to strong winds.
The RAC has warned drivers not to underestimate the dangers of high winds.
Spokesperson Simon Williams said: "While high-sided vehicles are most at risk of being blown off course, car drivers can also be affected when they pass lorries on the motorway and are suddenly hit by the full force of the wind on the other side.
"Keeping both hands on the wheel at all times is the best advice, along with watching other vehicles very carefully so as not to get caught out by any unexpected changes in course."
Met Office chief meteorologist Frank Saunders said: “Storm Gerrit will run towards western UK on Wednesday and bring with it potential impacts for much of the UK.
“Winds across southern coastal areas of England will be strong, possibly peaking around 70mph on exposed coastlines, but more widely around 50-60mph within the warning area.
“Rain is an additional hazard from Storm Gerrit, with active weather fronts leading to a wet day for many.
“Snow is also likely to cause problems for some northern areas – only briefly for a few upland routes across the Pennines and southern Scotland overnight and early on Wednesday, but more widely to the north of the central Lowlands later in the day.
“Here around 10cm to possibly 20cm of snow may affect some of the highest routes, this combining with very strong winds to lead to some difficult travel conditions.
“At lower levels a combination of heavy rain and very strong winds will dominate.”
Wind warning areas can expect gusts of 50-60mph, with up to 70mph on high ground and exposed coasts.
Rain in the warning areas is forecast to be between 40-60mm, with the potential for 70-90mm in the western hills of Wales and the western side of the Pennines.
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