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Help to weather the storms for island communities

April 27, 2016

One of SHEPD’s previous community resilience workshops held in Inverness.

One of SHEPD’s previous community resilience workshops held in Inverness.

Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) is offering support to communities across the Western Isles to draw up local plans to respond to extreme weather and other emergencies.

A series of three short introductory roadshows will be held next week in Stornoway, Tarbert and Benbecula (details below). These will be followed up by workshops a month later (June) at which participating communities and groups will be helped to develop their own draft plans.

As well as putting local knowledge, skills and facilities at the heart of the emergency response delivered by SHEPD and other agencies, the sessions will help attendees to gain support via SHEPD’s Resilient Communities Fund, which will open to applications later in the year.

 SHEPD Community Liaison Manager Mo Bates says: “Extreme weather seems to be affecting us more often and the islands are used to feeling the full force of it.  Islanders have always been good at looking out for each other, but drawing up a simple emergency plan can still make a big difference when it comes to coordinating local efforts with the emergency response agencies.

“Our work with communities in recent years has delivered great results with a wide range of community groups and organisations getting involved – from local residents’ groups to radio stations.  The events are completely free and fun to take part in.  Most importantly, communities tell us they have made a big difference whether during winter storms, disruption to transport or other emergencies.

 “I would urge everyone with an interest in helping their community stay safe to come along and find out more.”

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Emergency Planning Manager Andy MacDonald added:  “Engaging local communities and their knowledge in the emergency response can make a huge difference in critical situations.

“This process is absolutely not about replacing the duties of SHEPD, the Comhairle or emergency services.  Community plans are designed to make sure the emergency response reflects local needs.  They can improve communication and make sure support is delivered effectively when it matters most.

Full programme of events is below:

Resilience Roadshow

Monday 2 May 2016, 7pm – 8.30pm

Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway

Resilience Roadshow

Tuesday 3 May 2016, 7pm – 8.30pm

Tarbert Community Centre, Tarbert.

Resilience Roadshow

Wednesday 4 May 2016, 7pm – 8.30pm

Dark Island Hotel, Liniclate, Benbecula.

Community Resilience Workshop

Monday 30 May 2016, 5pm – 9pm

Sandwiches and Refreshments served at 5pm

Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway

Community Resilience Workshop

Tuesday 31 May 2016, 5pm – 9pm

Sandwiches and refreshments served at 5pm

Harris Hotel, Tarbert

Community Resilience Workshop

Wednesday 1 June 2016, 5pm – 9pm

Sandwiches and Refreshments served at 5pm

Dark Island Hotel, Liniclate, Benbecula.

Filed Under: News, Weather Tagged With: Benbecula, SHEPD, Storm, Uist, Weather

Angus MacNeil MP asks for St Kilda damage update

February 3, 2015

MoD buildings in Village Bay, St Kilda.

MoD buildings in Village Bay, St Kilda.

Following the storms in January, which badly damaged buildings at the missile test range on St Kilda, Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP, Angus Brendan MacNeil has tabled parliamentary questions to the Ministry of Defence requesting an update on the repair work.

Mr MacNeil said: “Buildings and infrastructure at the Hebrides Range missile test range on St Kilda were damaged during storms in January and it is important that the repair work is carried out quickly.

“I have tabled the parliamentary questions to the Ministry of Defence to ask when the buildings and infrastructure which were damaged by the storm will be repaired.”

15 of Qinetiq’s staff on St Kilda were evacuated from the island last month after a severe gale.

Personnel were airlifted by coastguard after extreme weather caused damage to buildings and infrastructure on the island.

Speaking at the time, a  QinetiQ spokesman commented: “On Friday, 9th January, QinetiQ evacuated all its employees from the site at St Kilda, which the company manages on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, due to the extreme weather conditions.

“The safety of our people is our top priority, so as a precaution our 15 employees were airlifted from the island at around 3pm by the coastguard.

“There were no casualties, although the winds did cause damage to buildings and equipment. We will carry out a full assessment into the extent of the damage when conditions improve.

“Employees are now back at work in the Uists and a recovery plan is already in motion.”

Filed Under: News, Weather Tagged With: Angus MacNeil MP, Damage, St Kilda, Storm

MV Finlaggan aids cut off Harris residents

January 13, 2015

MV Finlaggan

Caledonian MacBrayne’s MV Finlaggan came to the assistance of the community on the Isle of Harris at the weekend.

On Sunday, the island had been without power for approaching 48 hours.

Opening up her gangway to members of the community from 4-8pm, the Master, Barry Scott, and his crew of MV Finlaggan welcomed approximately 50 local residents on board and provided hot drinks and filled rolls, as well as offering them the chance to take a shower.

Some who were aboard took hot water and food back to those who could not venture out, and also took the opportunity to re-charge mobile devices in case the telephone network was restored.

Meanwhile, the ship’s Chief Engineer and 2nd Engineer were able to apply their technical expertise at a local hotel, wiring an emergency generator to supply power.

“The Master and crew of MV Finlaggan were pleased to be able to support the relief efforts,” said duty operations manager Finlay MacRae.

“A hot drink, some food and a shower hopefully provided some respite, and thanks, too, to our engineering colleagues from Finlaggan, whose assistance in connecting a generator helped the pierside hotel to assist with relief efforts for the wider community.”

Filed Under: News, Weather Tagged With: Harris, MV Finlaggan, Storm, Weather

Storm forces second St Kilda evacuation

January 12, 2015

MoD buildings in Village Bay, St Kilda.

MoD buildings in Village Bay, St Kilda.

For the second time in its history, St Kilda was evacuated last Friday after severe gale force winds apparently caused major damage to buildings and defence infrastructure on the archipelago.

Overnight on Thursday, gusts of well over 100mph were reportedly recorded on St Kilda, allegedly damaging buildings and defence equipment.

On Friday morning, Stornoway Coastguard airlifted 15 members of staff based at the MoD facility to Benbecula.

Am Paipear is awaiting details from the MoD and Qinetiq on the extent of the damage.

Prior to its famous evacuation, St Kilda is believed to have been inhabited for some two thousand years.

However, exhausted by a life of extraordinary isolation and difficulty, the last residents of St Kilda left the island at their own request in 1930.

A military base was established there in 1957. To this day, the only regular residents of St Kilda are MoD and Qinetiq staff, while conservation workers, volunteers and scientists are regularly based there during the summer.

The entire archipelago is owned by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS). It became one of Scotland’s five World Heritage Sites in 1986 and is one of the few in the world to hold joint status for its natural and cultural qualities.

A spokesman for NTS confirmed this morning: “No NTS staff or volunteers were present on St Kilda at the time and we are unaware of any damage to the historic buildings we care for at this stage.

“We have no confirmation of the wind speed recorded on St Kilda during the storms. We normally receive this kind of information from MoD staff.”

More to follow…

Filed Under: News, Weather Tagged With: MoD, National Trust, Qinetiq, St Kilda, Storm

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