More than 22,000 properties are without electricity in the Highlands and north-east of Scotland as Storm Floris hits the country with high winds.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said it is working to restore power to 22,500 properties while more are expected to be impacted later in the day.
SSEN is the network operator for the north of Scotland.
The company says it has hundreds of extra staff working but it may not be able to reconnect everyone by the end of the day.
The reports come as around 10,000 homes in Ireland are without power after Storm Floris brought strong winds to the island.
SSEN’s director of customer operations for the north of Scotland, Andy Smith, said: “Storm Floris is a relatively rare summer storm, and the weather forecast suggests it’ll have the potential to cause significant disruption to power supplies throughout today, and into the early hours of Tuesday.
"Its severity has increased over the several days we’ve been monitoring it, and over the course of the weekend we put in place our well-rehearsed storm plans."
He added: “We’ve got hundreds of additional team members ready to support our response. As soon as it’s safe to do so, they’ll quickly set about repairing network damage. At the height of summer, we’ve mounted an operation that’s comparable in size to those we have when a storm hits in the depths of winter, and I want to reassure our customers we’re well prepared to respond to whatever Storm Floris brings.
“Please remember you can report faults to us by calling 105 at any time, or via the PowerTrackwebsite or app.”
What rights do I have as a consumer if I have a power cut?
Scots should “know their rights” as Storm Floris triggers a wave of disruption across the country today, according to a leading charity.
Advice Direct Scotland has issued information for those affected, as the storm brings unseasonably strong winds and cancellations across the transport network.
The charity told the public that if you lose electricity due to a storm, compensation varies depending on the storm’s category. Storm Floris will likely be classed as a Category 1 or Category 2 event.
If the storm is Category 2 and you are without power for 48 hours:
- Initial compensation would be £80, with an additional £40 for every six hours without power, up to a maximum of £2000.
- For gas cuts, consumers might be entitled to compensation if the supply is cut off for more than 24 hours, receiving £60 after the first 24 hours and another £60 for each following 24-hour period.
According to Advice Direct Scotland, the gas network operator should contact consumers directly, but no compensation will be given if more than 30,000 homes were affected, the consumer caused the cut-off, or the operator took reasonable steps to prevent it.
Conor Forbes, policy director at Advice Direct Scotland, said: “Storm Floris is causing serious disruption across Scotland. We recognise the anxiety and uncertainty this brings to many households, and it is important that people know their rights.
“Our teams are on hand to offer free, impartial advice to anyone affected, whether it’s power outages, travel cancellations or damage to property.
“We can help people understand their rights, access compensation, and find practical support quickly.
“We urge anyone impacted to reach out via our helplines, website or social media channels. Whether you’re dealing with energy supply issues, insurance claims or service interruptions, we’re here to guide you through it.
“Storms like Floris test our resilience, but no one should face these challenges alone. Your wellbeing is our priority, and we’re committed to helping communities stay safe, informed and supported every step of the way.”
