Highlands and Islands Strategic Co-ordinating Group
Western Isles Incidents
Major Incidents in and around the Western Isles
In January 2005 the Western Isles experienced a major incident as a result of severe weather affecting the region and in particular the Uists and the Barra's. Sadly this resulted in the tragic loss of five family members of the same family as they made their way to safety. The following information summarises the incident.
The 11th January 2005 script:
Reporting and initial actions
- Initial Met Office warning of severe weather, followed by flash weather warning faxed to Council Offices.
- Winds over 80mph predicted; coincidence with winter high tide
- Internal co-ordinating group formed and local inter-agency connections made.
- Decision early afternoon to close schools, Council Offices, and to recommend no public travel. Local Health Board cancelled appointments, local radio stations began broadcasting advice.
- Storm began to peak earlier than forecast, by late afternoon of 11th January.
Impact
- Loss of life - five members of the same family swept away in car on causeway, several 'near misses'.
- Major electricity supply loss - isolated areas for up to four days
- Loss of water where local pumping stations dependent upon electricity
- No ferry or plane travel possible, little road travel possible for several days in some places
- Major and lasting damage to islands' infrastructure
Outcomes
We needed:
- Greater resilience in communications
- In an interconnected comunity, more people trained to handle emergencies
- More devolved locations able to act for the locality
- To improve public warning and broadcasting
- Less reliance on off-island call centres
- Better, more resilient vehicles and equipment
- To be better prepared for winter
