Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) confirmed on 5 August 2025 that Storm Floris has been classified as a Category 2 Severe Weather Event, a status that brings automatic Guaranteed Standards payments for customers left off supply for more than 48 hours continuously1. The storm struck on Monday 4 August, and SSEN reported that power had been restored to more than 60,000 customers by 5.30pm on Tuesday 5 August, with work ongoing to reconnect a further 11,400 properties1.
By 5.30pm on Wednesday 6 August, SSEN said power had been restored to over 70,000 customers, more than 98% of all those who lost supply, with hundreds of engineers working to reconnect the remaining 1,470 properties2. SSEN said most of those were in parts of the Highlands, including communities in the Great Glen, Sheildaig, Conon Falls, Conon Bridge, Tain and Evanton, and that it aimed to repair the last remaining outages in Aberdeenshire by the end of that evening2. The stated focus was to reconnect the final pockets of customers who lost power during Monday's storm by Thursday night2.
Under the Guaranteed Standards of Service set by the regulator Ofgem, SSEN said customers without power for more than 48 hours continuously will receive a payment of £85.00, and a subsequent payment of £45.00 for each continuous 6 hour period without power thereafter1. SSEN said these payments are issued automatically and customers do not need to make a claim or contact the company to receive them, and that letters will be sent to eligible customers separately to the cheques, setting out their fault information and how much they are receiving1. Separately, as part of its storm support package, SSEN said customers without power for more than 12 hours are entitled to £30 per person for every day off supply to cover the cost of food and drink, and that people should keep their receipts and claim costs back through the company's storm claim page1.
SSEN described an 800-strong team leading its response, including more than 500 of its own engineers and field staff and almost 200 people from contract partners and other network operators, with nearly 100 call handlers and social media staff on duty at four times usual staffing levels1. By 6 August it reported more than 19,000 calls taken and 9,500 online messages answered, with an average caller wait of under 90 seconds, and more than 4,600 meals provided to customers2. SSEN said summer conditions contributed to the damage, noting that at the height of summer trees are in full leaf, making them heavier and more susceptible to blowing over in storm-force gusts1.
"Storm Floris has been confirmed as a Category 2 Severe Weather Event which means customers without power for more than 48 hours continuously, will receive a Guaranteed Standards payment of £85.00"
Why it matters for households
The Category 2 classification means the payment thresholds apply automatically to SSEN customers in the north of Scotland who remain off supply beyond 48 continuous hours, without any claim being made1. SSEN said a dedicated team is providing extra support for the most vulnerable customers on its Priority Services Register, keeping them updated on restoration work and offering additional advice, and that its specialist Priority Services Team is regularly calling customers with vulnerabilities where possible1. SSEN said the impact of the storm caused issues with mobile networks, so house calls were being made in affected communities to ensure people had access to help and information even if unable to get online, with MERT Highland assisting by visiting the most vulnerable customers in their homes2. SSEN asked customers to save the emergency power cut number 105 and to report any damage to its equipment by calling 105 or via its Power Track website, adding that people should stay back and not touch damaged equipment1. SSEN also said its Power Track map and app carry realistic, accurate reconnection estimates informed by detailed fault assessments1.
What happens next
SSEN said its aim was to repair the last remaining outages in Aberdeenshire by the end of Wednesday 6 August evening, and to reconnect the final pockets of customers who lost power during Monday's storm by Thursday night2. Letters advising eligible customers that a Guaranteed Standards cheque is on its way are to be sent separately to the cheques themselves1.
Households preparing for storm-related outages can read our guides to storms and the electricity network and the Priority Services Register, with further material in the storms and snow and power cuts hubs and on council help in severe weather.
Storms and the Electricity Grid
