Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is continuing its large-scale clear-up operation today after Storm Floris caused significant damage across the north of Scotland.

Engineers are working to restore power to more than 22,000 properties, primarily in the Highlands, Moray, and Aberdeenshire, after winds of up to 100mph swept across the region yesterday.

SSEN has confirmed that power has been restored to 5,500 customers since the storm's onset.

The company, which is the Distribution Network Operator for the north of Scotland, has described Storm Floris as the "most damaging storm in recent memory" for the summer season.

SSEN teams worked through the night and were deployed again early this morning, supported by helicopters, to assess network damage and fix faults.

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Andy Smith, Director of Customer Operations for the north of Scotland, said: "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. 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."

SSEN has mobilised hundreds of additional team members, including staff from its southern England network region and extra tree-cutting teams to clear access routes. In addition, the company has organised meal provision in some affected communities.

Customers who are without power for more than 12 hours are entitled to a £30 per person payment for food and drink, while customers on the Priority Service Register who are without power for over 24 hours can also claim for reasonable costs for alternative accommodation. All customers can benefit from this support if a power cut lasts beyond 48 hours. Customers can claim costs back via www.ssen.co.uk/stormclaim.