Thousands still without power in aftermath of Storm Floris

Nearly 4,000 homes remain without power in the north of Scotland in the aftermath of Storm Floris.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said it had restored supplies to more than 68,000 homes but that 3,900 remained cut off.

Network Rail said teams had worked through the night to clear fallen trees on the Inverness and Aberdeen line which reopened earlier.

Storm Floris caused widespread disruption on Monday during an amber weather alert, with cancelled trains, flights and road closures.

Network Rail said additional staff were working to reopen two remaining routes impacted by fallen trees – the Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh line and the Far North Line which runs to Wick and Thurso.

SSEN, which delivers electricity in the north of Scotland, described Floris as “the most damaging summer storm in recent memory”.

More than 70,000 properties were hit in the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire, with food vans and welfare provided for families in the worst hit areas.

Highland council advised homes on private water supplies to boil all water before drinking, as the power cuts may have affected water treatment systems.

A total of 119 incidents were reported on Scotland’s railway network on Monday.

Network Rail said empty trains were used to transport workers to remote locations to clear the Aberdeen – Inverness line.

Other incidents saw trees falling on to overhead lines at King’s Park in Glasgow, Cornton near Stirling and Bishopton near Paisley.

The Scottish government held an emergency meeting on Monday night in response to the “significant disruption” caused by the storm.

Justice secretary Angela Constance said the power cuts had affected a “significant” number of properties and that the recovery period would take time.

SSEN said homes without power after the storm can make an online claim for £30 per person, per day to cover food and drink expenses.

People may also be entitled to additional compensation under guidance from regulator Ofgem.

Homes without power for more than 48 hours will receive £85, with a further £40 awarded for every additional six hours without power.

These payments are issued automatically onto energy bills.

The Met Office has warned that a further period of unseasonable wet and windy weather is expected on Thursday for those in north-western parts of the UK.