Multi-agency response continues to help those affected by snow in Shetland
Residents affected by snow and power cuts in Shetland are being urged to contact Shetland Islands Council for support, while community halls have been set up as ‘warm spaces’. For more information, visit: https://www.shetland.gov.uk/news/article/2425/council-urges-anyone-needing-support-to-get-in-touch
Around 2,800 homes are still without power in Voe, Whalsay, Brae, Yell and the West Mainland. For further updates visit: https://www.ssen.co.uk/news-views/2022/shetland-severe-weather--11.45am-update/
All main two lane roads are now passable with care however there are significant snowdrifts on the A971 Sandness and B9078 Eshaness, making them impassable. The majority of side roads also remain impassable.
176 landline are still out in Gutcher, which means 999 calls cannot connect. However there are other ways to contact Police including using ISDN lines, the contact us form on Police Scotland’s website and mobile phones.
Chief Inspector Stuart Clemenson said: “Local and national partners and members of the community are working round the clock to ensure vulnerable people have the support they need. Responders have been out on foot checking on sheltered accommodation residents and delivering medication, while there has been a phenomenal response from SSEN who have extra engineers coming over on flights and by ferry.
“While we wait for power to be restored to all homes, I continue to urge people to stay at home and find ways to stay warm. Link in with neighbours, friends and family to ensure they are safe and well and listen to the local radio or follow social media for updates. It’s really important that we all check in with vulnerable people when severe weather affects our communities, and that community spirit will be extremely important in Shetland at the moment.
“These conditions are extremely challenging to deal with and our officers are responding to incidents as quickly as possible. If you need police help, contact 101 or 999 in an emergency.”
