Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Heavy rain and winds batter Scotland, 4 flood warnings issued - @STVNews

Scotland is in the grip of its first big storm of the winter as 70mph winds and heavy rain batter the country.

Across country main roads are closed, ferries are being disrupted and trees have been uprooted.

In Aberdeen a tree struck a bus as it fell and in Dundee a tree hit a car leaving a man with minor injuries.

A fishing boat struck rocks near Thurso in force nine severe gales just before 4am on Tuesday. The Banff-registered Norlan managed to re-float itself on the tide and was escorted back to Scrabster Harbour by Thurso coastguard.

Four flood warnings have been issued for Haddington, Greenlaw to Allanton, Peebles and Preston to Paxton.

Nine flood alerts are also in place across areas including Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City, Central, Fife and West Central Scotland.

The Met Office has extended its amber warning in Grampian, south-west Scotland, Central, Tayside and Fife and Lothian and Borders until mid-morning.

A less severe yellow warning is in place in the Highlands and Eilean Siar and Strathclyde.

Motorists are being advised to take care by Traffic Scotland.

High wind warnings are in place on the Kessock, Forth Road and Skye bridges with the Tay Bridge only open to cars.

A spokesman for Traffic Scotland said: “Rain and high winds will affect southern, central and eastern Scotland. This weather has the potential to cause travel disruption, particularly to the haulage industry.

“We are expecting gusts in the region of 60 mph, which could affect exposed roads and estuarial crossings such as the Forth and Tay Road Bridges as well as other key crossings.

“We advise motorists and professional drivers to consider their routes carefully. Check the Traffic Scotland website and local radio broadcast to keep up to date with the latest position and where possible consider the timing of your journey until the worst of the weather is over.”

Caledonian MacBrayne is warning of disruption to 14 of its ferry services with two routes, Ullapool-Stornoway and Uig-Lochmaddy, cancelled.

Northlink Ferries is also warning of delays to its services.

Travel disruption

ScotRail reported "minor disruption" to its Strathclyde South and East Scotland routes.

In Aberdeen Union Terrace has been closed after a tree fell on a bus at around 8.30am. No one was injured as a result but police have also closed Union Terrace Gardens due to safety concerns.

Police forces in Dumfries and Galloway and Grampian reported a number of fallen trees on Monday night and were bracing themselves for more disruption on Tuesday.

Grampian Police reported trees down on the A952 Fraserburgh-Aberdeen road near Mintlaw and on a minor road near Fettercairn.

Aberdeen City Council said its "tree squad is working flat out".

In Peterhead part of the roof on the Peter & J Johnstone building on Union Street is down at Peterhead.

Police also said they were dealing with three trampolines that have been blown onto roads - two in Peterhead and one in Portlethen.

In the east, flooding has been reported in Kelso, Coldstream, Penicuik and Balerno. Police said they are also dealing with a number of fallen tress, including one which had landed on part of a house in Redford Road, Edinburgh.

The A766 Carlops Road has been closed two miles outside of Penicuik after a landslide at the junction with the A702. Lothian and Borders Police have called the council to assess the situation.

Tayside Police has advised drivers to reduce their speed and drive with the "utmost care" as surface water is likely to make driving conditions more difficult.

Road closures

A spokesman said: "Anyone who is travelling should allow plenty of time for their journey, reduce their speed and drive according to the conditions.

"This includes keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front and using dipped headlights where appropriate."

A driver received treatment for minor injuries after a tree came down on a car at Arbroath Road in Dundee, close to Baxter Park. The road was closed after the incident at around 8.48am.

Roads across Fife were also affected by trees including the B9131 near Dunino, the A91 near Cupar, the B940 and the A915 near St Andrews and the A914 at St Michaels.

A tree also fell on the Brechin to Arbroath Road causing it to close.

Police were also diverting motorists around a fallen tree at the Kingsway in Dundee

A Met Office spokesman said gusts would be at their strongest between 7am and 9am, which is later than previously forecast.

He added: "Wind speeds are due to peak during this period with a mean speed of 45-50mph, and forecast maximum gusts of 70mph. As this now coincides with the morning rush hour, there is an increased likelihood of disruption."

Transport Minister Keith Brown is due to lead a the Scottish Government’s Resilience Committee meeting at 8am to receive updates on the transport network, utilities and flooding.

A Multi Agency Response Team (MART), based at the Traffic Control Centre in Glasgow, including representatives from TrafficScotland, Transport Scotland, the police, rail operators, road operating companies and the Met Office, will remain operational until the weather improves.

Transport minister Keith Brown said: "In light of the Met Office warning for wind and rain in many parts of the country, our trunk road operating companies have all their resources available, including patrols, and will pre-position resources in areas of special attention.

"The Traffic Scotland website, variable message signs and traffic internet radio are being used to provide up-to-date information to the travelling public, allowing them to plan and amend their journeys accordingly."


View Weather in a larger map

IN DETAIL

Gallery: Storms caused damage and disruption across Scotland

Disruption and flooding across the east as 70mph gales batter country

Driver injured after tree falls on car as 70mph winds batter country

People who read this story also read