This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/dec/11/gales-weather-bomb-batters-uk-western-coasts

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
More gales after ‘weather bomb’ batters UK western coasts More gales after ‘weather bomb’ batters UK western coasts
(about 3 hours later)
Weather warnings remain in place across Scotland and Northern Ireland after high winds and waves continued to hammer the west coast overnight.Weather warnings remain in place across Scotland and Northern Ireland after high winds and waves continued to hammer the west coast overnight.
Power has been restored to the majority of the 30,000 homes that had their supply cut on Wednesday as the country was hit by the extreme conditions dubbed the “weather bomb”. Engineers are still working to restore power to around 330 homes on the Western Isles after cables suffered lightening damage in the heavy storms.Power has been restored to the majority of the 30,000 homes that had their supply cut on Wednesday as the country was hit by the extreme conditions dubbed the “weather bomb”. Engineers are still working to restore power to around 330 homes on the Western Isles after cables suffered lightening damage in the heavy storms.
On Thursday morning, snow, ice and flooding continued to affect rail and ferry services, with snow gates closed on a number of major roads in the Highlands, and the Skye bridge is closed to high-sided vehicles. On Thursday morning, snow, ice and flooding continued to affect rail and ferry services, with snow gates closed on a number of major roads in the Highlands, and the Skye bridge closed to high-sided vehicles.
As the storm showed some signs of subsiding, the Met Office downgrading its amber “be prepared” to yellow “be aware” alerts of wind, which will remain in place for the whole of Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of Wales and northern England until it is reviewed again later on Thursday.As the storm showed some signs of subsiding, the Met Office downgrading its amber “be prepared” to yellow “be aware” alerts of wind, which will remain in place for the whole of Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of Wales and northern England until it is reviewed again later on Thursday.
Schools, nurseries and council facilities in the Western Isles, the worst-hit area of the country, are planning to open as usual after they were closed throughout Wednesday.Schools, nurseries and council facilities in the Western Isles, the worst-hit area of the country, are planning to open as usual after they were closed throughout Wednesday.
During the worst of the storms on Wednesday, a Spanish fishing trawler and its crew of 16 had to be rescued by coastguards after getting into difficulties around Orkney when a large wave hit the vessel’s wheelhouse. The windiest place recorded was on Hirta, the largest of St Kilda’s islands in the Outer Hebrides, where the wind speed was 144mph. During the worst of the storms on Wednesday, a Spanish fishing trawler and its crew of 16 had to be rescued by coastguards after getting into difficulties off Orkney when a large wave hit the vessel’s wheelhouse. The windiest place recorded was on Hirta, the largest of St Kilda’s islands in the Outer Hebrides, where the wind speed was 144mph.
Scotland’s deputy first minister, John Swinney, on Wednesday night praised frontline staff for how they dealt with disruption. He said: “I am pleased to report that we are seeing an improving picture in terms of the stormy conditions tonight and heading into tomorrow.”Scotland’s deputy first minister, John Swinney, on Wednesday night praised frontline staff for how they dealt with disruption. He said: “I am pleased to report that we are seeing an improving picture in terms of the stormy conditions tonight and heading into tomorrow.”