Waves crash over the promenade on in Saltcoats,Scotland December 10, 2014.
LONDON: Up to 17,000 residents in the west of Scotland were left without power on Wednesday morning as a "weather bomb" of wet and windy conditions battered parts of Britain with gusts expected to reach up to 80 miles per hour (130kmph).
Crew members had to be rescued from a Spanish fishing vessel that got into difficulty in churning seas off Orkney this morning. A helicopter was scrambled to answer the O Genita's mayday call after the wheelhouse was hit by huge wave, but had to turn back because of lightning.
The Stromness lifeboat eventually reached the boat and took its crew to safety.
Warnings have been issued across northern England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland urging people to prepare for possible disruption and coastal flooding.
"The public should be prepared for dangerous conditions, especially along causeways and coastal roads exposed to the west," it said on its website.
Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution said its engineers were repairing the damage done in the Western Isles and are bringing two power stations on board with all customers expected to have electricity by lunchtime.
Police warned that travel conditions in the worst-hit areas of Scotland could be “hazardous”, with disruption also expected on ferries, rail services, roads and bridges.
Snow showers will also bring an additional danger, mainly over higher ground where several inches could fall.
John Swinney, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, urged people across the country to heed travel and safety warnings.
“I am confident we are well-placed to cope,” he said.
The Met Office warnings for wind run through today and into tomorrow morning and on Friday, the severe weather will move from the north to southern England, the Midlands and Wales. - PA
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