Storm Floris disruption continues as services delayed on several ScotRail routes
The aftermath of Storm Floris continued to bring disruption on Tuesday with more wet and windy weather on the cards for northern parts of the UK later in the week.
ScotRail said suspended routes would need to be checked before they could be reopened with disruption expected until around 4pm on Tuesday.
Caledonian Sleeper Services were cancelled on Monday night while LNER said services north of Newcastle could be delayed or cancelled on Tuesday and TransPennine Express said no services will run north of Carlisle or Newcastle before 9am. They advised customers not to travel before then with rail operators advising passengers to check on services before travelling. It comes after sunbed wars saw Brits forced to queue for "over an hour" just to get to the pool at a hotel in Cape Verde.
The Scottish Government said there were 119 incidents on the rail network caused by Storm Floris on Monday, including 75 tree-related ones, and Network Rail said it is working "tirelessly" to clear routes blocked by falling trees and debris.
CalMac Ferries, which operates services on Scotland 's west coast, faced disruption on Tuesday while on the roads, Traffic Scotland said the Tyne Bridge and Forth Road Bridge had reopened overnight.
Further south, the A66 in Durham and Cumbria was closed to high-sided vehicles for several hours overnight between Scotch Corner and the M6 at Penrith due to high winds.
The Scottish Government's Resilience Room held a meeting on Monday night to help decide an appropriate response to the storm, which has led to power outages and delays in exam results being delivered to pupils.
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, alongside representatives from the Met Office, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, SEPA, transport and utilities companies and further resilience partners.
Ms Constance said: "As expected, there has been significant disruption, particularly across the travel networks. 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 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."
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said Storm Floris had been "the most-damaging summer storm in recent memory" with the BBC reporting around 43,500 properties were without power on Monday night.
Director of customer operations for the north of Scotland Andy Smith said: "At the height of summer, we've mounted an operation that's comparable in size to the ones we mobilise when a storm hits during the depths of winter, but the sustained nature of these damaging winds means some affected customers may be without power overnight."
The Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire were the worst hit areas and SSEN said it was providing free hot food and drinks on Tuesday in several areas where homes remained without power.
A yellow warning for wind remained in place for the Orkney and Shetland Islands until 8am on Tuesday and while conditions are expected to improve, more wet and windy weather is likely to return to the north west of the UK late on Wednesday and into Thursday.
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."
A gust of 82mph at Wick airport on Monday provisionally equalled the highest August gust in Scotland with speeds in excess of 70mph records in various parts of the country.
Cassley in the north of Scotland recorded 58.4mm of rain on Monday. Northern Ireland also provisionally equalled a record for August with gusts of 66mph at Orlock Head
The south of the UK is expected to see less rain on Thursday, although it will remain unsettled. Changeable conditions will continue in the north and northwest into the weekend.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
'I live in Spanish holiday hotspot and tourists should be wary of one thing'
Spain has long been a beloved getaway destination for Brits, thanks to its stunning sandy shores, crystal-clear waters and high temperatures with abundant sunshine during the summer months. Millions of holidaymakers flock to the European region annually, but recent months have seen local residents stage demonstrations to highlight the overtourism crisis plaguing their home. The Spanish island of Majorca in particular regularly attracts vast numbers of visitors from Britain and Germany, but locals are bearing the brunt of mass tourism as many find themselves priced out of their properties in favour of more lucrative holiday rentals. Gina Mariavan, a Majorca native who offers guidance to tourists on TikTok, shares her perspectives on various subjects including the overtourism challenges facing the holiday hotspot. She recently uploaded a clip to the platform showing a very lengthy queue of passengers waiting at a Majorca bus stop, stretching along the entire pavement. Gina wrote: "Welcome to the Mallorca bus stop! Hunger Games start in 3...2...1..." The Majorca local made reference to The Hunger Games book and film franchise, where participants battle against one another in a competition until just one survives. The caption of Gina's TikTok post states: "Public transport in Mallorca can be a great option! However, now during high season, prepare to wait a little!" Lots of Spanish holidaymakers rely on public transport whilst exploring new destinations as a budget-friendly method to discover areas rather than splashing out on taxis but services can become overcrowded during peak periods such as summer when visitor numbers soar. This proves frustrating for both residents and tourists as it results in extended wait times and jam-packed buses or trains. Gina's TikTok footage has racked up 338,500 views, 10,900 likes and more 200 comments at the time of writing. One viewer commented: "I just came back from Mallorca. Spent [a] few hours in Palma and really people don't know how to behave.. "As a tourist, I'm not surprised that all locals are complaining. Came back to Porto Colom asap. Completely different vibe and people there." Another contributed: "Living on Mallorca for 2.5 years now and I totally understand why locals hate tourists, they just look to themselves. People live here. People work here." A third remarked: "Locals cannot get a bus because of mass tourism. It will not end well." This was backed by a Majorca resident in the comments who added: "Thanks to people like you we can't even go to work, thanks." Other viewers defended tourism against the criticism. One observed: "For all of you who complain about tourism: you live off of it, and if it's not regulated, it's the city council's fault, not the tourists!" A second declared: "The locals blaming tourists shows how very little they understand things. "The lack of buses and infrastructure is your politicians fault for not investing in your local community. Tourism drives your economy." Responsible Travel reports that tourism makes up 45 per cent of Majorca's economy. Post-pandemic, the island welcomed 14 million visitors, a significant number compared to its resident population of just under one million.
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
St Ives in Cornwall named as Britain's best seaside view
St Ives took the honour thanks to its "gorgeous surrounding bays" among other features. This prize was determined from a collaboration between holiday park company Haven and It quizzed 2,000 Brits on what their favourite seaside view was, and St Ives as a whole ended up with the most votes. St Ives wasn't the only Cornwall spot featured, as Padstow was close behind in 3rd, and Hayle was in 16th place. As reported by Time Out, there are plenty of "postcard worthy panoramas" to be enjoyed from the town. They wrote: "You can soak up sea views from almost anywhere in the Cornish town, but you'll find the it's best vantage points on its gorgeous surrounding bays. "There's Porthmeor Beach, a favourite among local surfers, Porthminster Beach which offers views towards Godrevy Lighthouse, and Porthgwidden Beach, a smaller cove facing the English Channel." Why is St Ives worth visiting? St Ives is more than just its pretty views, as Time Out recommended places like "the Tate gallery's western outpost" and the Porthminster Gallery. Visit Cornwall shares similar sentiments, highlighting it as the home of "some of the finest art galleries in the UK". It adds: "St Ives is also renowned for its famous quality of light, which has drawn artists to the area for over a century. "Despite its size, the town boasts world-class art galleries, including the Tate St Ives, set against a stunning coastal backdrop. "Alongside its artistic heritage, St Ives is home to an excellent food scene, highlighted by the annual St Ives Food Festival." The town as a whole is described as "the dazzling jewel in Cornwall's crown" according to its tourism website. It adds: "A picturesque fishing harbour and seaside town with a quartet of golden beaches. Recommended reading: "Voted best family holiday destination by Coast magazine and one of TripAdvisor's top 10 European beaches. "Wander through the maze of narrow cobbled streets, independent shops and fisherman's cottages in the heart of St Ives. "With accommodation ranging from top hotels, bed & breakfast, self-catering cottages or apartments, come and sample some of the tastiest award-winning restaurants, cafes and bars in the Southwest."
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Met Office warns Storm Dexter to hit within HOURS but it's great news for heatwave
The UK is set to bask in a heatwave next week as the Met Office said a storm, which is due to hit the UK today, will bring "unseasonably hot" weather to the country After a first half of the summer holidays marred by less-than-perfect weather, it seems summer is set to make a comeback in the days ahead. Despite Storm Floris bringing "unseasonably" strong winds to the UK earlier in the week, another storm is on its way, and this time it's expected to usher in a heatwave. Tropical Storm Dexter is making its way across the Atlantic and is predicted to hit the northern parts of the UK by late Saturday. While Scotland may face unsettled conditions with wind and rain, England and Wales could see temperatures soar high enough for a heatwave to be declared. According to the Met Office, the remnants of Tropical Storm Dexter will draw warm air from the southwest across the UK, potentially leading to scorching conditions. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has even issued a yellow heat health warning for a large part of the country starting Monday, August 11, as the hot weather front approaches. It comes as Brits are warned to avoid BBQs during next week's heatwave. With the mercury set to rise above 30C in some central, southern, and eastern parts of England on Monday and Tuesday, and forecasts predicting 27C for Wales, the heat is certainly on. Only some parts of England were included in the official heat warning, but locals across the UK can still expect a significant temperature hike, reports Wales Online. Should the predictions hold true, Wales is also poised for a heatwave, with temperatures likely to hit at least 25C across three consecutive days. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Steven Keates, remarked: "We're confident that temperatures will increase markedly by the start of next week, reaching the low 30s Celsius in parts of England on Monday and perhaps the mid 30s in a few places on Tuesday. "However, the length of this warm spell is still uncertain, and it is possible that high temperatures could persist further into next week, particularly in the south. "Ex-Dexter sets the wheels in motion for an uptick in temperatures, but the weather patterns then maintaining any hot weather are rather more uncertain". Stay ahead with the biggest stories in Wales by subscribing to our daily newsletter here. According to Met Office weather maps, from Monday to Wednesday, large swathes of Wales can expect temperatures around 25C. Tuesday is shaping up to be the week's scorcher, with the mercury set to soar into the mid to high-twenties nationwide. Cardiff and Newport are predicted to bask in highs of 27°C. Though there'll be a slight dip in heat from Thursday, the warm spell is tipped to linger for much of the month. The Met Office's extended forecast suggests high pressure will once again reign, bringing warm and muggy conditions to vast areas of the UK. As the month progresses, we're likely to see temperatures remain above average for the season.
