Storm Floris: 90mph winds trigger air, rail and sea chaos
More than 22,500 homes were without power, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said, with 10,000 more affected in Ireland – mostly in Co Donegal and Co Roscommon.
Festivals in Edinburgh were also been disrupted, with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo among the events cancelled, while the delivery of exam results to some island communities was delayed according to the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
The Met Office confirmed wind gusts of up to 79mph as far apart as Kinloss, east of Inverness, and the island of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides, with 82mph recorded at Wick in Caithness.
Transport was paralysed across much of northern Britain. Network Rail closed all rail lines north of the Central Belt from midday, while a number of roads have been blocked.
Disruption will continue into Tuesday. Ross Moran, Network Rail Scotland route director, said: 'Storm Floris has caused significant disruption to Scotland's railway, with wind speeds of up to 90mph, unprecedented for a summer storm.
'Our teams will work through the night, but this work will continue into Tuesday morning. We'll use two helicopters to assist engineers on the ground. We're grateful to passengers for their patience whilst we do this.'
Earlier, the train operator had appealed to property owners to secure 'tents, trampolines or furniture' to prevent them being blown on to railway tracks.
Anglo-Scottish rail travel was nigh-impossible on the East Coast and West Coast main lines. LNER and Lumo warned passengers not to attempt to travel north of Newcastle, while Avanti West Coast advised travellers not to venture north of Preston.
The Caledonian Sleeper serving Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William is cancelled overnight on Monday. Train operators will accept passengers' tickets dated Monday on Tuesday, and in some cases Wednesday.
Travellers were able to reach or leave Scotland by air for some of the day, but high winds at the northern airports of Aberdeen and Inverness caused two flights to turn back to their starting points. Both easyJet from Luton to Inverness and KLM from Amsterdam to Aberdeen abandoned their landings and flew back, with passengers enduring 900-mile 'flights to nowhere'.
By 6pm the aviation data analyst, Cirium, had calculated more than 150 flights were cancelled: 79 departures and 74 arrivals. Most served northern Scotland and Northern Ireland. Aberdeen was worst affected with 29 cancellations, while Belfast City experienced 21 grounded flights.
A number of campervans have been blown over on the A87 road, which leads to Portree on the Isle of Skye.
Police Scotland said: "We have received multiple reports of campervans being blown over on the A87 between Broadford and Portree due to high winds caused by Storm Floris.
"We are advising motorists not to travel on the Bealach na Ba road and anyone with campervans should remain parked in sheltered areas until the wind speed reduces."
Elsewhere, some roads in Scotland and northern England were blocked by fallen trees.
The vast majority of ferries serving western Scotland were cancelled. Caledonian MacBrayne warned people planning to sail on Tuesday: 'Due to forecast adverse weather, sailings will be liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice.
Northlink, which serves Orkney and Shetland from mainland Scotland, warns of the possibility of disruption 'through to Wednesday 6 August'.
Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024-25 naming season, which runs from early September to late August.
January's Storm Eowyn was the most recent.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
STV News
an hour ago
- STV News
Storm Floris disruption expected to continue amid 'clear-up' operation
ScotRail has warned passengers that disruption is expected to continue into Tuesday morning due to the 'clear-up' operation following Storm Floris. The amber weather warning was issued for much of the country, lasting from 10am until 11pm. A second yellow alert, covering the whole of Scotland, will be in place until midnight. A third yellow weather warning will come into force at midnight, covering Orkney and Shetland until 8am on Tuesday. Storm Floris has had a significant impact on Scotland's Railway, including damage to overhead lines and trees falling on tracks across the country. With gusts of up to 90mph in some parts of the country, ScotRail says a significant operation will take place to inspect lines and carry out repair work before returning to full service. Network Rail engineers are currently working to clear the affected tracks; however, work is expected to continue into the daylight hours of Tuesday. Ross Moran, Network Rail Scotland's route director, said: 'Storm Floris has caused significant disruption to Scotland's Railway, with wind speeds of up to 90mph, unprecedented for a summer storm. Our teams have been working tirelessly to keep services moving where possible and to clear fallen trees and debris from the tracks. 'As the storm passes later this evening, our focus switches to inspecting routes which have been closed by fallen trees, debris and other damage. 'Our teams will work through the night, but this work will continue into Tuesday morning. We'll use two helicopters to assist engineers on the ground. We're grateful to passengers for their patience whilst we do this.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
an hour ago
- STV News
Section of M8 closed due to 'hanging debris'
Road users have been warned of 'severe delays' due to a section of the M8 being closed during Storm Floris. The westbound carriageway of the motorway has been shut from Junction 18 over the Kingston Bridge due to hanging debris. Repairs are being carried out to the overhead gantry which has been damaged by the adverse weather conditions. Road users have been urged to follow the diversions in place. A post from Traffic Scotland read: 'The M8 westbound from Junction 18 over the Kingston Bridge is closed due to hanging debris from a Gantry. As a result there is severe delays in the area.' STV News is now on WhatsApp Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Press and Journal
an hour ago
- Press and Journal
Storm Floris live updates: Thousands without power amid 79mph wind gusts
Storm Floris is sweeping across the north and north-east of Scotland. A Met Office amber weather warning is in place until 11pm tonight, while a yellow alert runs until 11.59pm. The named storm has been causing travel disruption throughout the day with flights grounded and trains cancelled across the north. We are also keeping you up to date with all the latest road closures – many caused by fallen trees and debris. Almost 30,000 homes and businesses have been left without power with most cuts recorded in the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire. The Press and Journal will be bringing you all the live updates during Storm Floris. If you are affected by the weather and have information or photos you'd like to share, please get in touch at livenews@ Firefighters are in attendance on Station Road in Newmachar with images showing a pylon which appears to be close to snapping. The Scottish fire and rescue service have c0nfirmed they are in attendance after recieving a call shortly before 6pm. SSE are also in attendance. There have been several more reports of fallen trees in Aberdeen in recent hours. Several could be seen blocking the road near St Machar's Cathedral. A massive tree has taken out the fence at the Netherdon at the Don Nature Reserve. There are also several fallen trees at the entrance to Seaton Park. More trees being struck down by high winds throughout the afternoon and into this evening have led to further road closures. Some of the roads currently blocked are: Emergency services have received 'multiple reports' of campervans being blown over on the Isle of Skye amid Storm Floris. Gale force winds have hit the A87, the main road on Skye, and several vehicles are understood to have been blown over between Broadford and Portree. Police have warned those in motorhomes or towing caravans not to drive during the storm. A converted Army vehicle blew over on Skye after it stopped in a layby off the road – not far from where a campervan overturned. The safety barrier had stopped the campervan from being blown more than 50 feet down a ravine. ScotRail has advised customers some disruption caused by Storm Floris may continue into Tuesday. A number of overhead lines have been damaged by high winds with repair work still required in many areas. Network Rail teams are working to clear the affected routes and ensure they are safe before passenger services can return. Two specialist helicopters will also assist teams on the ground to complete essential checks across the network as quickly as possible. While some of those checks will be carried out later tonight, there will be others required on Tuesday morning during daylight hours. Our photographer Jason Hedges captured some of the disruption Storm Floris brought to Moray today. Wind gusts of up to 79mph have been recorded on South Usit and Kinloss today, according to the Met Office. The following wind gusts were recorded this afternoon: Highland Council has confirmed Fort William High Street and Middle Street have been closed for public safety. A large section of copper roof has become unstable due to the ongoing high winds. Council teams are assisting police and the fire service at the scene. A council spokesperson said: 'Adjacent buildings have been evacuated, and sections of both High Street and Middle Street have been cordoned off. 'Structural engineers from building control will assess the damage as soon as possible, however due to the current wind conditions, it's not possible to safely access the roof to assess the full extent of the damage. 'Further updates will be made available as soon as possible on the reopening of the streets.' The severe weather conditions have led to the cancellation of 20 flights from Aberdeen Airport today, affecting routes to Dublin, Belfast, Kirkwall and London. Passengers are being advised to check with their airlines as further disruption is expected throughout the day. Flights that have yet to be cancelled are the 5.20pm KLM service to Amsterdam, British Airways flights to London Heathrow at 6.25pm and 7.50pm, and a Ryanair flight to Faro at 8.05pm. Incoming flights have also been impacted throughout the day. An EasyJet service from London Luton scheduled to land at 2pm was diverted to Edinburgh, as were the 3pm EasyJet from Gatwick and a KLM flight from Amsterdam. Engineers from SSEN have restored power to more than 5,500 customers since the start of the day. They have confirmed they are continuing to work to restore power for a further 22,500. The most significant impact has been in the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire. A spokesperson said: ' Severe winds are still moving across the north and may affect more people later today. 'We have hundreds of additional team members working to restore power, but due to the storm's intensity and transport problems, some customers may be without power overnight.' Some school students may face an even longer wait for their exam results due to Storm Floris. Those who sat their National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams earlier this year are supposed to receive their results tomorrow – Tuesday, August 5. However, some certificates may be delayed due to the bad weather. Results are sent to everyone via post, while those who sign up will also receive their grades by email or text. A spokesperson from the SQA said: 'Due to the widespread disruption caused by Storm Floris, Royal Mail has confirmed that there will be delays to the delivery of SQA results in several parts of Scotland. 'In particular, we know deliveries to the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland will be delayed due to the adverse weather. Further localised delays to deliveries may occur at short notice. 'If any affected candidates wish to know their results, they should contact their school or college in the first instance who should be able to help them. 'Alternatively, learners can submit an enquiry via our website and their query will be responded to by our team after 12noon on Tuesday, August 5. 'We are not anticipating any impact on the MySQA text and email service.' We're working to keep you up to date with all the latest road closures across the north and north-east. This includes letting you know what roads have been cleared of fallen trees and debris. Earlier, a large tree fell on Carnie Road in Aberdeen, near its junction with Ashgrove Road. The A96 was also blocked near P&J Live for some time on Monday – with a large tree falling across the dual carriageway. Sepa has issued a flood warning for the Churchill Barriers in Orkney which will be in force until further notice. An update states: 'The prevailing weather forecast, along with large waves means that flooding from the sea is expected. 'Gale force and westerly winds also means that a combination of wave overtopping, spray and debris may result in the closure of the Churchill Barriers.' The A96 has been closed in both directions at Nairn due to a 'hazard on the live lines'. Traffic Scotland is advising motorists to find an alternative route and expect delays. Motorists were unable to get in and out of Findhorn earlier today due to a fallen tree near the Findhorn Foundation. The large tree blocked the main road approaching the coastal village at about 1pm and has since been cleared. This means residents were briefly stuck – or unable to get home. Photos and videos of the incident have been circulated online. Areas across Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Highlands are experiencing power cuts amid Storm Floris. High winds, fallen trees and debris have caused damage to power lines which has led to several unplanned power cuts. A statement shared by SSEN says: 'As you'll know, Storm Floris is bringing harsh weather conditions across much of Scotland and this weather is causing damage to our power lines. 'Due to the weather, it's sometimes unsafe for us to assess damage or complete much repair work until it eases off, so this is why our restoration estimate seems a long time away.' Areas impacted include: Elgin, Garmouth, Fochabers, New Deer, Cults and Finzean. The Highland Council has confirmed all of its services due to strong winds and fallen trees across the region. Several trees have been blown down in the Inverness region. Blocked roads include: We have more reports of fallen trees across the north and north-east. Motorists are reminded to only travel if the journey is essential. With the winds across Aberdeenshire continuing to get stronger, the local authority has decided to close several recycling centres. The following locations will remain shut until the end of the day: Conditions at other centres will be monitored throughout the day. Due to high winds the – Police, Traffic Scotland and residents have shared updates about a number of road closures across the north and north-east. Passengers on the 8.56am Inverness – Aberdeen train service are stuck on the train after the service was suspended. The train hit debris on the line – more information here. Highland Council says multiple trees are down and causing road disruption. The Met Office has shared details of the latest wind gusts, with two of the highest recorded so far in the UK in the Western Isles. There have been multiple reports of fallen trees as Storm Floris ramps up in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Teams are currently working to clear a fallen tree blocking part of Westburn Road. Social media users have also reported several trees falling in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, with a tree down about a mile south of Ellon. Facebook users claim there are fallen trees at the following locations: Turriff show has been forced to close early due to severe weather conditions. Organisers announced that the show will be closed from 12.30pm today for the safety of visitors and exhibitors. From 2.30pm there will be restricted access to the showground for smaller vehicles, while all other heavy agricultural machinery will need to remain in place until 5pm. Show President John Leadingham said: 'The safety of our visitors and exhibitors is our priority at this time. 'Thank you to everyone for your understanding and support, we are as disappointed as you, but we have to take a cautious approach for the wellbeing of everyone.' Seven flights have been cancelled from Aberdeen airport today as a result of the storm. The flights currently cancelled are: Strong gusts of wind and safety concerns are expected to affect arrivals and departures throughout the day. Passengers who are due to travel today are being urged to check with their airline and expect ongoing disruption throughout the day. Sport Aberdeen has closed all outdoor sports and activities as a result of Storm Floris. This includes all golf courses, football pitches, tennis and padel courts and the dry ski slope. Indoor activities are expected to remain open. Sport Aberdeen said: 'Our indoor venues will remain open and we will continue to monitor the weather over the course of the day. 'We will notify any customers directly regarding any localised class cancellations or programme changes should they occur.' The Met Office has updated its weather alert for Storm Floris, with Orkney and Shetland now included under a yellow warning. The storm is expected to bring very strong winds to the region, including gusts of 50-70mph. The winds are expected to ease across Orkney early on Tuesday and will slow down over Shetland on Tuesday morning. Residents are urged to secure loose objects, check travel plans and take precautions for potential short-term power cuts. Traffic Scotland have confirmed that several bridges in the Highlands will be closed today, ahead of the high winds from Storm Floris. The following bridges are expected to be affected: Dan Suri is a Met Office Chief Meteorologist. He said: 'Much of Scotland is likely to see gusts of 50-70mph with more than 80mph on some exposed coasts, hills and bridges. 'Western coastal areas will see the highest gusts late morning, with the strongest winds transferring to northeastern Scotland by late afternoon. 'Across the wider yellow warning area, many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40-50mph, with 60mph likely at higher elevations and around some exposed coasts.' Organisers of the Black Isle Show have announced alterations to festivities in the coming days. The showground is being closed from 11am today due to the forecast for strong winds. Conditions are being monitored, ahead of their planned reopened on Wednesday. A statement issued by the Black Isle Show reads: 'Due to the current extreme weather warnings, we have taken the decision to close the whole showground from 11am on Monday, August 4. 'There will be no access to the site. 'We will be monitoring the situation as the day progresses to permit safe opening of the showground at our earliest opportunity. 'The safety of anyone travelling to, or on the showground, is our priority. Thank you for your understanding.' Show jumping has been removed from the schedule during day two of the Turriff Show. Organisers confirm the show will go ahead as planned; however, the weather is being closely monitored. A statement issued on social media states: 'Due to the Amber weather warning the Show Jumping at Turriff show has been cancelled. 'The rest of the show is going ahead at present. Please check the show facebook page for details.' UHI Inverness Campus will be closed from 11am on Monday as 66mph winds are forecast. The campus is due to return to business as normal on Tuesday. A statement issued by UHI on social media, reads: 'UHI Inverness campus will close from 11am on Monday, 4 August. 'Due to the amber weather warning for high winds in our area, the UHI Inverness campus will close at 11am tomorrow. 'If you intend to use our public services on Monday, please make arrangements to travel safely from the campus by 11am. 'We will be open as normal on Tuesday, August 5.' CalMac have cancelled a host a ferry crossings on Monday due to the forecasted strong winds. The following services have been affected: Aberdeen City Council has confirmed Duthie Park Outdoor Nursery will be closed on Monday. All other early learning centres are scheduled to open as usual. A spokesperson said: 'Due to forecast storm winds, Duthie Park Outdoor ELC will be closed tomorrow. 'All other ELCs are due to remain open.' CrossCountry Trains have become the latest operator to announce cancellations to Monday's timetable ahead of Storm Floris. All services between Edinburgh and Aberdeen will be suspended tomorrow. Tickets will be valid for use for the remainder of today and on Tuesday. A statement issued by the firm on the Platform X reads: 'Due to weather warnings and the predicted impact of StormFloris, CrossCountry services will not operate between Edinburgh and Aberdeen on Monday, August 4. 'If you are travelling north of Edinburgh with CrossCountry, tickets dated August 4 can be used to travel today or Tuesday, August 5.' Operators of Cairngorm Mountain Resort have confirmed all adventure activities will be closed throughout the day on Monday. A statement, issued on social media, reads: 'A reminder that all adventure activities are closed tomorrow, Monday 4 August, due to Storm Floris. 'Please check for updates on the Mountain Railway operations in the morning before travelling.' Train services in the north and north-east will grind to a halt from noon on Monday as gale force winds and heavy rain batter the region. The Highland Main Line, West Highland Line and Far North Lines will be closed as services between Inverness and Aberdeen are suspended. Network Rail engineers will be out in force on Tuesday morning, inspecting the lines for potential damage. Commuters are being advised to check their journey before venturing out. Ross Moran, Network Rail Scotland route director, said: 'With the severity of Storm Floris becoming clear, our priority is the safety of our passengers and colleagues. That is why we've taken the decision to close some parts of Scotland's Railway early on Monday as the worst of the conditions hit the country.' Good afternoon and welcome to our live blog, where our reporters will be posting regular updates about Storm Floris as it makes landfall in Scotland. Make sure to hit the refresh button on your browser to see new posts.
