Storm Floris clear up after power cuts and travel disruption
SSEN said Floris was "the most damaging summer storm in recent memory" with thousands of properties hit in the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire.
About 9,000 homes had been reconnected by Monday night, with SSEN engineers working to restore power to 43,500 more.The firm said free hot food and drinks would be provided on Tuesday in areas where homes were awaiting reconnection.Confirmed food locations are:DINGWALL - Maryburgh Hub Hall HUNTLY - Market Muir Car Park WICK - Bilbster Hall LAIRG -Village car parkKYLE OF LOCHALSH - Lochalsh Leisure Centre Network Rail faced several storm incidents, including trees falling on to overhead lines at King's Park in Glasgow, Cornton near Stirling, and Bishopton near Paisley. It said some train disruption would continue as checks are carried out on Tuesday morning.
Ross Moran, Network Rail Scotland's route director, said: "Storm Floris has caused significant disruption to Scotland's railway."As the storm passes our focus switches to inspecting routes which have been closed by fallen trees, debris and other damage."We'll use two helicopters to assist engineers on the ground. We're grateful to passengers for their patience whilst we do this."Flights and ferries were also suspended across Scotland on Monday with people urged to avoid travel.Most of the country's major road bridges were closed to high-sided vehicles.Vehicles were blown over in Glasgow and Skye, while the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and other major events were cancelled.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival said about 110 shows had been cancelled - mostly those in temporary structures.In Glasgow, location filming for the superhero blockbuster Spider-Man: Brand New Day was suspended in the city centre.The SQA also warned that the weather would delay the delivery of exam results letters on Tuesday for pupils on Scotland's islands.
The Met Office amber warning, covering a wide area from the central belt to the Highlands, expired at 23:00 on Monday.Western coastal areas saw the strongest early gusts with the high winds moving north-east later.The Met Office said summer storms cause problems as trees are in full leaf and are more likely to be toppled with branches broken off.Tuesday is forecast to be a calmer day as Storm Floris moves towards Scandinavia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
3 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Scottish Government holds emergency meeting over Storm Floris disruption
The Scottish Government has held an emergency meeting in response to the 'significant disruption' caused by Storm Floris across the country, including 119 rail incidents. On Monday night, the Scottish Government's Resilience Room held the meeting to help decide an appropriate response to the storm, which has led to power outages, delays in exam results being delivered to pupils and travel disruption, amid other issues. During the meeting, ministers heard that utilities companies are working to reconnect properties experiencing power outages. The meeting was attended by justice and home affairs secretary Angela Constance, transport secretary Fiona Hyslop, cabinet secretary for health and social care Neil Gray and climate action and energy secretary Gillian Martin. They were joined by representatives from the Met Office, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, SEPA, transport and utilities companies and further resilience partners. The Transport Scotland Resilience Room and the Multi-Agency Response Team remain activated to monitor and report on conditions throughout the duration of the storm. Trunk road companies are continuing to remove fallen trees and debris from damaged infrastructure from roads, and have engaged specialist resources to assist. The Scottish Government said there have been 119 incidents on the rail network caused by Storm Floris, including 75 tree-related ones. With winds of up to 90mph in some parts of the country, a significant clear-up job will be required to inspect lines and carry out repair work before it is safe to restore a full service, with more wet and windy weather forecast for late on Wednesday and Thursday. ScotRail is urging customers to check their journey via the app, website or JourneyCheck before they travel on Tuesday. The train operator will also provide updates across social media channels throughout the night. We've worked closely with all train operators to coordinate the railway's response to #StormFloris. Due to travel tomorrow? Check your journey at @ScotRail @LNER @AvantiWestCoast @TPExpressTrains @CrossCountryUK @LumoTravel @CalSleeper @transcotland — Network Rail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) August 4, 2025 Following the meeting, Ms Constance said: 'As expected, there has been significant disruption, particularly across the travel networks. 'We are still in an amber warning, and the advice remains to stay well informed, keep yourselves and others safe and avoid travel if you can, until the danger has passed. 'Power cuts are affecting a significant number of properties, and while utilities companies are working hard to reconnect supply in the face of challenging conditions, this will undoubtedly take some time to complete. 'The weather is expected to improve tomorrow, but the recovery period – both to reconnect homes to power and get transport back to normal – will require some time to clear the debris. 'We will continue to receive updates throughout Tuesday and will have a better idea on public transport tomorrow morning.' On X, Network Rail said it has 'worked closely with all train operators' to co-ordinate the railway's response to the storm. The railway operator added: 'We've been working around the clock to keep services moving today. 'Our teams will continue inspecting routes for #StormFloris damage overnight, but this will continue into Tuesday morning.' We've been working around the clock to keep services moving today. Our teams will continue inspecting routes for #StormFloris damage overnight, but this will continue into Tuesday morning. Please check your journey before you leave the house tomorrow at — Network Rail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) August 4, 2025 Network Rail previously said it is working 'tirelessly' to clear routes blocked by falling trees and debris, and that disruption was likely to continue into Tuesday. However, some checks will need to be carried out on Tuesday morning. Rail, road and ferry travel were disrupted and festival events cancelled as Storm Floris swept across Scotland, bringing with it heavy rain and strong gusts. Disruption on the railways has left passengers facing multiple cancellations, while a number of roads around the country have been blocked. Western coastal areas are bearing the brunt of the summer storm but strong winds and heavy rain are affecting much of the rest of the country. We have received 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. Campervans should remain parked in sheltered areas until wind speed reduces. — Police Scotland Highland & Islands (@PSOSHighland) August 4, 2025 As of 11.30pm on Monday, a yellow weather warning from the Met Office was in place in Scotland until 8am on Tuesday. Police previously said they had received 'multiple reports' of campervans being blown over on the A87 between Broadford and Portree on Skye, while in Aberdeenshire the A96 is closed in both directions near Old Rayne because of several fallen trees. Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Mike Silverstone said: 'While the system later this week won't carry as many impacts as Storm Floris, a further period of unseasonable wet and windy weather is on the way late on Wednesday and into Thursday for those in northwestern parts of the UK. 'An area of low pressure from the west will bring some strong winds, especially for those in western parts of Scotland. Gusts over 50mph are possible for a time. Some heavy rain will also accompany the strong winds, with up to 30mm possible.'
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The beautiful Scottish island on sale for the same price as the average UK home
Do you dream of owning your very own island? There's one for sale in a remote region of the UK – and it's just had its price slashed. The entire island, complete with wooded areas, sandy beaches, and diverse wildlife habitats, was first listed in 2024 with a guide price of £325,000. But it has since been reduced to £275,000, meaning the inhabited stretch of land is around the average cost of a home in the UK. According to the latest data from Zoopla, the average British house would cost around £268,400. The island is also around half the price of an average London flat, which data from 2024 shows was an eye-watering £545,000. Eilean Mor is located within Loch Sunart, on the west coast of Scotland, near the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. It covers an area of 30 acres, and can be reached by boat or low-tide causeway. The island 'offers a unique blend of natural beauty and historical intrigue', according to Bell Ingram, the estate agency handling the sale. 'The island's diverse terrain and tidal nature make it a fascinating destination for adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. 'The waters around Eilean Mor are teeming with marine life and the island itself is a haven for seabirds, making it an excellent spot for birdwatching. 'The untouched natural environment provides a sanctuary for various species, offering visitors a glimpse into the thriving ecosystems of the Inner Hebrides.' The advert notes that the island, which has been owned by the same family for generations, comes without any form of planning permission. And potential buyers should be aware that Eilean Mor is part of the Sunart Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Sunart Special Area of Conservation (SAC). This means that development and construction are strictly regulated to protect the island's rare habitats and wildlife, limiting what can be built or altered on the island. The local area also offers a range of activities, from exploring nearby hiking trails and ancient woodlands to visiting the Ardnamurchan Lighthouse — the most westerly point on the British mainland. The island 'offers a unique blend of natural beauty and historical intrigue', according to Bell Ingram, the estate agency handling the sale Wildlife cruises, kayaking, and visits to local distilleries provide further opportunities to enjoy the stunning natural surroundings and rich cultural heritage of the region. Last month, another island – an uninhabited 90-acre parcel of land off Scotland's west coast – was put up for sale for offers over £500,000. Insh Island was previously owned by the National Trust for Scotland. The island was left to the organisation in the will of David Brearley, who reportedly lived in a cave on the island for 30 years up until 2003. In a move criticised by some, the National Trust for Scotland reportedly put the island up for auction in 2019 with a guide price of £125,000, but sold it for £353,000.
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
Cow chaos after Storm Floris blows down fences setting bovines loose in North Lanarkshire
Gusts of more than 90mph from Storm Floris that brought travel disruption, power cuts and the widespread cancellation of events across large parts of the UK, have also caused a large herd of cows to take of the streets of Carfin in North Lanarkshire. Footage shared on social media shows multiple cows running down the street at Elder Way and Taylor Avenue.
