Lightning strikes 5,000 times during storms across northern UK
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Version 0 of 1. Lightning struck 5,000 times across the Western Isles and northern Scotland during two-days of stormy weather, according to an energy provider. Thousands of homes lost power during the gales and lightning strikes caused by a so-called “weather bomb” which swept the north last week. Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution said that, despite gale force winds and huge waves, it was lightning which caused the most damage to the electricity network. The company said bolts struck six wooden poles on the Skye transmission network, causing region-wide power loss across the Western Isles twice. When lightning struck equipment directly it took longer to restore power to customers because new equipment had to be installed. Alan Broadbent, director of engineering at Scottish Hydro, said: “We prepared for the storm with hundreds of additional staff and resources. “We knew that lightning would be a feature of this so-called weather bomb but predicting the intensity and frequency of strikes is almost impossible. We have equipment that can protect against lightning strikes. However, every so often a strike is too intense for even the most advanced level of protection.” |