When Storm Floris swept through northern Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland on August 4, 2025, it left a trail of destruction that upended daily life for tens of thousands. With wind gusts recorded at up to 90mph, the storm caused widespread chaos—cancelled trains, grounded flights, road closures, and, most notably, power outages that affected 72,000 households. For five days, communities from the Highlands to city neighborhoods faced the brunt of nature’s force and the challenges of recovery, as detailed by BBC and the Press Association.
By 11am on August 8, the last of those 72,000 homes had finally been reconnected, according to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN). The company, responsible for much of the region’s power infrastructure, described the event as “exceptional”—a storm and a response operation more commonly seen in the depths of winter than in the middle of summer. The scale of the damage was staggering: fallen trees blocked roads and toppled onto houses, while overhead power lines suffered “considerable network damage” from the record wind speeds and storm-force gusts. Repairs were delayed by the sheer volume of destruction, with about 950 homes, mainly in the Highlands, still without power as late as Wednesday night.
“Floris was an exceptional storm, which has called for an exceptional response from us,” Andy Smith, SSEN’s director of customer operations for the north of Scotland, told the Press Association. “One thousand people have been working hard to reconnect homes and support customers while a huge volume of network reconstruction has been done in challenging conditions.” Smith’s gratitude extended beyond his staff: “I want to say thank you to everyone who’s played their part in this response, both from our own teams, and also those of our contract partners and fellow network operators who’ve willingly come to support us.”
The human impact of Storm Floris was felt far beyond the inconvenience of flickering lights or spoiled groceries. In north Belfast, an elderly couple was left shaken—though, mercifully, unhurt—after a large tree crashed down on their house as the storm raged overhead, Belfast Telegraph reported. It was a sobering reminder that even summer storms can be dangerous, defying the usual expectation of mild weather in August.
For many, the days without electricity meant more than just cold dinners and dark rooms. SSEN responded by providing approximately 7,500 hot meals to those awaiting reconnection, a lifeline for vulnerable residents. The company also reached out proactively, contacting 100,000 customers identified as vulnerable before the storm hit—either by text or phone call—to ensure they had the support and information needed to weather the outage safely.
While the storm’s fury tested the resilience of infrastructure and community alike, it also brought out the best in neighbors and emergency workers. Social media buzzed with stories of kindness: volunteers delivering food, strangers checking in on elderly residents, and the “support given on social media over the past few days,” as Smith noted, “has been very much appreciated.”
The restoration effort was nothing short of monumental. SSEN’s teams, along with contract partners and network operators from across the UK, worked tirelessly—often in hazardous conditions—to repair downed lines and clear debris. “A huge volume of network reconstruction has been done in challenging conditions,” Smith emphasized, underlining the scale of the task. By Wednesday night, 71,000 customers had been reconnected, with the final 950 homes brought back online by Friday morning.
The company’s compensation policy reflected the severity of the event. Customers left without power for more than 12 hours were entitled to £30 per person per day to cover the cost of food and drink, provided they kept their receipts and claimed the expenses through SSEN’s website. For those who endured more than 48 continuous hours without electricity, the compensation was even more substantial: an initial payment of £85, plus £45 for every additional six-hour period of outage. Importantly, these payments were to be issued automatically—no paperwork or chasing required for those eligible. “Now supplies have been restored, I encourage those who lost power to take a look at the details of compensation that will be provided, and also to make a claim for reimbursement if they qualify,” Smith advised customers.
Storm Floris was officially classified as a category two severe weather event, a designation that triggers the guaranteed standards payment scheme. The company’s handling of the crisis, from hot meals and proactive contact to automatic compensation, was widely seen as robust—though not everyone was entirely satisfied with the official guidance issued during the storm.
Some of the safety advice from the Met Office, highlighted in the Belfast Telegraph, drew criticism for appearing excessive or even “bordering on the absurd.” Among the more controversial recommendations was the suggestion to avoid opening doors inside the house during the storm. For residents already anxious about falling trees or flying debris, such advice seemed disconnected from the practical realities they faced. Yet, as the incident in north Belfast illustrated, even seemingly minor precautions can take on life-or-death significance when the wind is howling and the rain is lashing down.
Despite the frustrations and the fatigue, there was a sense of shared accomplishment as the lights flickered back on across the region. “The kindness shown to our teams working in communities and the support given on social media over the past few days has been very much appreciated,” Smith reflected, capturing the spirit of resilience that carried so many through the storm’s aftermath.
As the clean-up continues and communities take stock, the experience of Storm Floris serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of summer weather—and the importance of preparation, community, and a rapid, coordinated response. For the thousands who spent days in the dark, the return of power was more than a convenience; it was a testament to what can be achieved when people pull together in the face of adversity.
