Storm Floris clear-up continues as 22,000 homes wake to no power and rail engineers battle to clear Highland Mainline, Far North, Inverness-Wick and Inverness-Aberdeen rail tracks
Huge disruption from Storm Floris is expected to continue through today (Tuesday) with a massive clear-up operation underway across the Highlands and north of Scotland.
Some 22,0000 homes and businesses remained without power across the north this morning with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) engineers working through the night to restore supplies.
Fallen trees and debris from high winds hit roads and railway lines extensively amid the amber weather alert, with all ScotRail services north of Perth expected to remain at a standstill until this afternoon.
But flights from Inverness Airport were operating as normal after multiple cancellations and delays on Monday, with amber and yellow Met Office weather warnings no longer in place.
A spokeswoman for SSEN called it “the most damaging storm in recent memory, adding: “As of 7.15am on Tuesday morning, we’ve successfully restored power to 50,000 homes.
“Work is ongoing this morning to restore supplies to the remaining 22,000 properties.
“Now the winds have died down and moved into the North Sea, it’s become safer for our field teams to get to faults on the network, although strong gusts are still forecast for today, and we’ll be monitoring the forecast closely.
“Our teams worked for as long as the light permitted last night, and were deployed again early this morning, with the support of helicopters to assess the network from above.
“Expanded teams in our control room and customer contact centre also worked through the night to re-route supplies remotely where possible and answer customer queries.
“This has been a particularly damaging storm, and we’ll be working hard to reconnect customers as safely and quickly as we can – but it will take time.”
Network Rail, with responsibility for track maintenance across Scotland, is being assisted by two specialist helicopters assisting teams on the ground on the north and Highland areas.
Network Rail said teams had been working "tirelessly" to clear routes after gusts of up to 90mph in some parts wreaked havoc on railway tracks.
As well as trees and debris, damaged overhead powerlines on the tracks are said to be an issue.
A spokesman for Network Rail said: “We have now reopened 30 of our 34 routes (in Scotland), with work continuing on the remaining four below - Perth – Inverness, and Inverness – Aberdeen/Wick & Thurso/Kyle of Lochalsh.
“Our teams inspecting the Highland Mainline are finding multiple fallen trees. We are working to clear these as soon as possible.
“There is a team on board an empty ScotRail train travelling north from Perth to deal with debris on the tracks en-route.”
A ScotRail spokesman added: “Storm Floris brought unseasonably strong and disruptive winds across all parts of Scotland, making this an extremely intense storm for the time of year.
“Network Rail engineers will need to inspect the closed lines for any damage during daylight hours.
“Please be aware that services will start later, across all affected routes.
“Services may be affected until at least midday and services will be subject to short notice delays, alterations and cancellations.”
The Kessock Bridge is open, but remains closed to high-sided vehicles.
The Dornoch bridge has reopened, but speed restrictions of 30 mph are in operation with high winds remaining an issue.
There are also localised reports of many smaller roads in the Highlands being closed or partially closed by trees and debris.
Highland Council is encouraging landowners to check trees and vegetation near to public roads which may have been damaged.
Landowners are also asked to check the drainage from their property that it is not blocked and overflowing onto public roads.
Highland Council operatives have been clearing fallen trees across the region but due to the large amount of demand, the Council urges private landowners to check their property near roads.
Tracey Urry, head of roads and infrastructure, said: “Damaged trees/vegetation and blocked drainage can cause potential hazards to road users by obstructing the passage of vehicles and pedestrians. The Council is particularly concerned where weakened or damaged branches could subsequently fall on vehicles or pedestrians.
“Our teams have been working incredibly hard to try to keep the Council’s roads clear but where there is a risk to our staff’s health and safety we sometimes have to postpone works until it is safe to resume working.”
Under Section 91 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 the Council may serve notice on landowners requiring them to take action to remove hazardous or obstructive vegetation. In extreme cases, where there is an imminent danger to the public the Council will take action and landowners will be liable for the cost.
For further information, landowners requiring advice and guidance on this matter should contact the Council’s Service Centre on 01349 886601 (during office hours) or 01349 886690 (out of hours).