Leisure centres and food vans across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will again be offering their services as welfare centres to the public after tens of thousands of homes are left without power.
Residents in the north-east and parts of Highland who have been enduring a loss of power, water or mobile phone coverage are being invited to make use of local facilities.
Hot meals are also being prepared and distributed by a number of vendors in a host of communities.
Here’s a rundown of the various amenities on offer today:
Refreshments at welfare centres
SSEN say customers unable to access welfare facilities and who remain off supply may claim back the cost of meals up to £15 per person.
They are being asked to keep copies of receipts for any claims and any vulnerable customer who requires alternative arrangements but is unable to arrange themselves, is encouraged to contact SSEN’s teams by calling 105.
The below lists will be updated as and when we have more information.
SSEN has deployed welfare facilities to the following locations:
- Alford, Transport Museum Car Park, Fish and Chips
- Bognie Brae, Bognie Brae Arms · Car Park, Steak Bar
- Cannich, Village Centre, Highland Hog Roast Food Van (from 12:30)
- Fyvie, Outside the Co-op, Steak Bar
- Insch, Church Hall Car Park, Western Road, Hot Food Van
- Kemnay, Aquithie Road, Steak Bar
- Munlochy, car park, Highland Hog Roast Food Van
- Tarland, The Square, Steak Bar
- Torphins, Learney Hall, Fish & Chips
- Whitestone, Opposite Finzean Town Hall, Steak Bar
SSEN has also arranged for a hot food van to supply residents in Lumphanan.
Given the additional impact of Storm Corrie, additional welfare facilities will be deployed, where available.
Other places to get help
- Bridge of Don King’s Church– located in the old AECC – is offering showers, hot drinks and soup for anyone affected by the storms. On arriving in the coffee shop (in the round atrium) ask for Carla Wood to be directed to showers / food supplies.
- Stonehaven Fetteresso Parish Church will be serving tea and coffee from 12 noon.
- Dyce Learning Centre – located in Dyce Library/Primary School – is open until 8pm for tea/coffee, heat, a power-up of mobile devices, and advice and assistance from council staff.
- All Aberdeen city libraries are available for people to use for heat and charging until 5pm, with Central Library in the city centre open until 8pm.
Hot food provision for people wanting to pick up a meal
People wanting to pick-up a meal can do so at the following locations:
- Aboyne Scout Hut: between 4pm and 5pm
- Alford Community Campus (outside the building as no power): between 4.15pm and 5pm.
- Banchory Sports Village: between 4pm and 5pm.
- Boddam Library: between 4.15pm and 5.15pm.
- Inverurie Community Campus: between 4pm and 15pm.
- Mearns Academy Community Campus, Laurencekirk: between 4pm and 5pm.
- Stonehaven Fetteresso Church Hall: between 4.15pm and 5pm.
- Turriff Sports Centre: between 4pm and 5pm.
- Peterhead Leisure and Community Centre: between 4pm and 5pm.
For those cannot travel, contact Aberdeenshire Council’s assistance line if you need advice or support or if you are isolating – 0808 196 3384. It is open from 8:45am to 5pm today.
Wash facilities and charging points in Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen
Leisure centres will also open their doors today to provide wash facilities and charging points as welfare centres in Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen.
The following facilities, run by Live Life Aberdeenshire, will be open to the public until 8pm:
- Banchory Sports Village
- Deveron Community and Sports Centre, Banff
- Ellon Community Campus
- Fraserburgh Community and Sports Centre
- Huntly Swimming Pool and Fitness Suite
- Inverurie Community Campus
- Mearns Academy Community Campus, Laurencekirk
- Peterhead Leisure and Community Centre
- Portlethen Swimming Pool and Academy Sports Facilities
- Turriff Swimming Pool
- Westhill Swimming Pool
Moray Council has also opened all of its leisure and community facilities, with the exception of Speyside in Aberlour, for households affected by power cuts to use.
- Buckie Swimming Pool
- Milne’s Fitness Suite, Fochabers
- Elgin Sports and Community Centre
- Forres Swimming Pool
- Forres House Community Centre
- Keith Sports and Community Centre
- Lossiemouth Sports and Community Centre
Who to call in an emergency?
If you need help, or need to report fallen trees – via police on 101.
Power outages – via SSEN on 105
Non-urgent medical issues – via NHS on 111
Emergency council housing repairs – 03456 08 12 03
Emergency social care – 03456 08 12 06
Moray Council social work – 01343 543451, out of hours 03457 565656
If you can’t use private water because of the power outage you are advised to source bottled water. But if you can’t, contact the assistance line on 0808 196 3384 for advice or support.
SSEN has confirmed that 37,000 people had no power this morning after Storm Corrie battered the north-east overnight.
