Lightning blasts a hole in bedroom of family’s home
Damage to buildings and power cuts as storms batter Scotland
A FAMILY has told how a bolt of lightning blasted a hole in their bedroom wall as Scotland was battered by thunder and rain.
The storms, which followed the hottest day of the year, caused flooding and power cuts across the country, as well as damage to buildings and transport disruption.
Karen Bell, 43, told how lightning struck the bedroom then tore the roof off their family home in Cove, Aberdeenshire.
Describing her ordeal, Karen Bell, 43, said she suffered a “huge fright” as the lightning strike punctured her bedroom wall and roof, plunging her home into darkness.
“We heard a really loud bang,” she said. “I can’t even describe what it felt like. It was like an explosion then we were plunged into darkness and the house alarms went off. I’ve never experienced anything like it in my life. There was a river running down my street.”
She added: “We’ve got structural damage and it’s blown out a lot of the electrical sockets. I’m really shaken by it. I can’t believe it’s happened. It was a huge fright. We are all very lucky to be okay.”
Further weather warnings are in place for parts of Scotland today after the country was battered by torrential rain, thunder and lightning. While most of the country will enjoy more settled weather throughout the rest of the week, forecasters are warning residents in the Highlands and Northern Isles to be prepared for further heavy rain.
A Met Office spokesman said: “Thunderstorms which will have broken out over Scotland on Wednesday are expected to continue to hit the far north of the mainland and the Northern Isles overnight Wednesday and into Thursday morning.
“While most places will miss the worst, please be aware of the risk of flash flooding. Frequent lightning, large hail and strong winds could be additional hazards.
“All of this could lead to some flooding of homes, businesses and transport networks. Disruption to power is also possible.”
Yesterday morning, the heavy downpours and spectacular lightning storms caused problems for commuters. The lightning also damaged a number of buildings, including Denny Old Parish Church in Falkirk, where structural damage meant the surrounding area was closed to the public.
Several Aberdeen residents reported power cuts including Maija Horne who said: “The lights in our living room blew up. I’m terrified of thunder and lightning as it is and this didn’t help. Something nearby us was definitely hit.”
The storm also cut phone lines in the Eyemouth area of the Scottish Borders and a number of ferry crossings were cancelled due to the weather.
North Sea helicopter operations out of Aberdeen also came to a standstill on Wednesday amid safety fears including the possibility of “triggered lightning”, where helicopters bring about to lightning strikes.
The phenomenon is believed to happen when helicopters acquire a negative charge during flight and fly close to a positively-charged cloud.