Winds of over 100mph have caused chaos across Scotland today, with trains and planes cancelled, roads blocked and schools closed.
A gust of 113mph was recorded at Stornoway on Lewis, the strongest gust since records at that site began in 1970, while winds of 110mph were recorded at Loch Glascarnoch in the Highlands.
Roads
Police in Inverness said several roads and bridges, including the Skye Bridge and Dornoch Bridge, have been closed, while the Churchill Barriers in Orkney have also been closed.
A police spokesperson warned that travel conditions in the Highlands and Islands are “hazardous”, and advised against travelling along causeways or low-lying coastal roads.
Elsewhere, the Forth Road Bridge was closed to all vehicles after a van blew over, reopening to cars shortly after but remaining closed to high sided vehicles.
Trains
With rail tracks covered in debris including fallen trees, ScotRail suspended all services throughout the country this morning and only a select few have been re-opened, with Scotrail and Network Rail advising all commuters to check their website before travelling.
Still only a small number of services running at the moment. Remember to check http://t.co/adomkXSF2h for updates on your route. #scotstorm
— NetworkRail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) January 9, 2015
Power supplies
Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) said 73,000 customers were without power at the height of the storm, with the Western Isles and rural areas the worst hit.
It mobilised 1,000 technical and support staff ahead of the severe weather, and since first light has restored power to 24,000 customers.
Rodney Grubb, SHEPD’s head of operations, said: “We are doing everything we possibly can to restore our customers’ supplies. We apologise for the disruption and would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding.”
Flood warnings
Flood warnings are in place in northern Scotland and all schools in the Western Isles and Orkney have been closed as a precaution.
An amber flood alert has been issued for the whole of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire by Sepa.
A statement on Sepa’s website read: “Large waves are possible especially along the north coast.
“There is a possibility of some coastal flooding to low lying land or roads from spray and wave overtopping.”
Aberdeen Airport
A number of planes to and from Aberdeen Airport have been cancelled or delayed.
A flight from the airport to London Heathrow and another from Orkney to Aberdeen were cancelled, meanwhile all other flights to and from the airport were warned of serious delays.
Ferries
Several CalMac and NorthLink ferry services have been affected by disruption or cancellations.
The ferocious waves have been stirred up by the extra-powerful jet stream triggered by plunging temperatures in the United States hitting warmer air in the south.
Meanwhile, a man had to be rescued from the sea at Oban and Stornoway Coastguard said they were called out with the council to help an 80-year-old woman whose window had blown in.
