Lightning strikes leave isles homes without power

Around 30 homes in Westray and Longhope are without electricity this morning following last night’s lightning strikes.

Scottish Hydro Electric have reported that, over the weekend, lightning damaged fuse boxes and transformers in the county, and also say that a hydro pole in Westray was damaged. The electricity supplier says that as of this morning 6 customers in Westray and 24 customers in Longhope remain without power.

Repair teams have now reached the isles and it is estimated that, without any further problems, power should be restored by lunch time today.

Power cuts were also seen in Tankerness, Deerness and Burray over the weekend.