Commuters across the UK have been warned to brace for a second day of travel disruption as the country recovers from Storm Floris.

The powerful storm, which struck on Monday, brought severe winds that triggered mass power outages, particularly in Scotland, where over 40,000 homes were left without electricity. SSEN crews are working around the clock to restore power, but as of Tuesday afternoon, approximately 15,000 households remain without electricity, with rural areas in northern Scotland facing the longest delays. The storm also caused significant disruptions to rail and ferry services, with Network Rail confirming ongoing cancellations and delays, particularly on routes north of Newcastle. Commuters have been urged to check train schedules before traveling.

The Met Office issued a yellow wind warning for Orkney, which expired at 8 a.m. Tuesday, following earlier amber and yellow warnings covering Scotland, northern England, Northern Ireland, and northern Wales. While the worst of the storm has passed, gusty winds and scattered showers continue to pose challenges in affected regions.

The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room convened on Monday evening to coordinate the emergency response. Authorities are now assessing the full extent of the damage, which includes fallen trees, damaged infrastructure, and disruptions to critical services. In a new development, officials reported that the storm has delayed the delivery of school exam results for thousands of students in Scotland, with contingency plans now in place to ensure timely distribution by the end of the week.

SSEN has deployed additional repair crews and mobile generators to support affected communities, while local authorities are providing temporary shelters for residents in areas still without power. The UK government has pledged support for recovery efforts, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer stating: “We are committed to ensuring communities impacted by Storm Floris receive the resources they need to rebuild and recover swiftly.”

As cleanup efforts continue, authorities are urging residents to remain cautious, avoid downed power lines, and stay updated on travel advisories. With weather conditions expected to stabilize by Wednesday, the focus remains on restoring power and normalcy to the hardest-hit areas. (ILKHA)