One Week On: ‘A Remarkable Response from Our Communities and Colleagues’ – Council Leader Pays Tribute to Storm Efforts

One week on from Storm Eowyn, Dumfries and Galloway Council Leader, Cllr Gail Macgregor, has praised the ‘remarkable response’ from communities, volunteers, council colleagues and partner organisations in the aftermath of the storm.

The extremely high winds from Storm Eowyn caused damage across Dumfries and Galloway, impacting infrastructure, closing roads due to fallen trees and causing multiple power outages.

Cllr Macgregor said:

“The remarkable response to Storm Eowyn has shown the very best of Dumfries and Galloway. Communities rallied together, looking out for neighbours and supporting one another in extremely challenging conditions. Council teams and partners worked around the clock to clear roads, restore services and provide urgent help to those who needed it most.

“This wasn’t just an official response – it was a community response. And I want to say a deep and heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who have helped this region get back on its feet over the last seven days.

“Across the region, from Stranraer to Langholm and Port William to Moffat, individuals and organisations have worked together to support those affected, and people stepped up to support one another in extraordinary ways.

“Farmers and householders helped the clear-up in rural areas, residents coordinated generators through local Facebook groups, and in one snow-affected village, a resident acted as a key point of contact with the Local Resilience Partnership, relaying updates by landline when mobile networks went down. These are just a few examples – there are countless more.

“I also want to pay tribute to the people on the ground – our teams clearing roads, keeping services running, checking on vulnerable residents and ensuring essential support was in place. Our catering colleagues preparing food for warm hubs.

“Waste collection crews will be working extra hours this weekend to help communities. And social care, Care Call and Customer Services colleagues dealt with an exceptional number of calls, making sure help reached those who needed it.

“This was a collective effort: the Local Resilience Partnership coordinated support, SP Energy Networks worked tirelessly to restore power, and Dumfries and Galloway Virtual Operations Support Team (DG VOST) helped keep communities informed.

“To everyone who stepped up over the past week – thank you.”

For updates on the ongoing response and any continued effects on council services, visit:

https://www.dumfriesandgalloway.gov.uk/storm-eowyn

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