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Stormy weather causes disruption Wind hits power and shuts bridges
(40 minutes later)
Gale force winds and heavy rain have caused chaos in parts of central, western and southern Scotland. Gale force winds have left about 20,000 homes across Scotland without power and closed the Erskine, Forth and Tay road bridges to all traffic.
The weather left thousands of homes without power, brought down trees and caused lorries to topple. Utility companies said engineers were unable to carry out any repair work until the wind died down.
About 20,000 homes are estimated to be without power. Engineers are unable to carry out any repair work until the wind dies down. Gusts of up to 80mph and heavy rain hit central, western and southern Scotland overnight.
Westerly gusts which reached 80mph have led to the closure of the Erskine, Forth Road and Tay Bridges. The weather brought down trees and toppled lorries. One man was rescued when his car entered the Clyde.
Scottish Power said about 10,000 homes were affected in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, the west coast and parts of Falkirk and Fife. Scottish Power said about 10,000 homes were affected in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and parts of Falkirk and Fife.
"We are working flat out to try and get people connected as soon as we can," a spokeswoman said. Scottish and Southern Energy said about 9,000 homes in Argyll and 800 homes in Tayside were without power.
Scottish and Southern Energy said about 9,000 homes in Argyll and a further 800 homes in Tayside were without power. A spokeswoman said: "At the moment we have to consider safety. Our engineers can't climb poles in these sort of winds."
A spokeswoman said: "At the moment we have to consider safety. Our engineers can't climb poles in these sort of winds. She added that Islay and Jura had been badly affected.
"We are monitoring the situation and will do everything to restore power where we can."
She added that some of the west coast islands, including Islay and Jura, had been particularly badly affected.
Schools closedSchools closed
Five lorries overturned on the M74 and ferry and rail services have also been hit. Five lorries overturned on the M74. Ferry and rail services have also been hit.
Strathclyde Police said the high overnight winds had blown off part of the roof of the derelict Great Eastern Hotel in Glasgow's Duke Street. Strathclyde Fire and Rescue attended 144 incidents overnight.
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue attended 144 incidents. A man was rescued from this car which left the road in Wemyss Bay
These included flooding, building fires, road accidents, a water rescue and a train crash.These included flooding, building fires, road accidents, a water rescue and a train crash.
Part of the roof of a Dundee University halls of residence blew off At 1130 GMT on Tuesday, a man was rescued from flooding in Greenock Road, Wemyss Bay.
At 1130 GMT on Tuesday one person was rescued from flooding in Greenock Road and taken to hospital.
Crews also attended a locomotive crash at 0400 GMT on Wednesday, two miles north of New Cumnock.Crews also attended a locomotive crash at 0400 GMT on Wednesday, two miles north of New Cumnock.
The driver was taken to hospital for a precautionary check-up.
Guests at the Galley of Lorne Inn in Ardfern, Argyll, had to be evacuated after the roof came off at about 0700 GMT.Guests at the Galley of Lorne Inn in Ardfern, Argyll, had to be evacuated after the roof came off at about 0700 GMT.
The extreme wind also damaged a university hall in Dundee.The extreme wind also damaged a university hall in Dundee.
Residents of Seabraes had to be moved from one side of the building to the other when a section of roof came off. Tayside Police said they were working to clear fallen trees across many routes, while Central Scotland Police said numerous roads were blocked or partially blocked.
Tayside Police said they were working to clear fallen trees across many routes, while Central Scotland Police said they had numerous roads blocked or partially blocked due to fallen trees and power lines and to travel only if necessary. In Fife, seven schools and one elderly day care centre have been closed.
In Fife, three roads have been closed because of fallen trees. In one, on the B937 between Giffordtown and Collessie, a driver crashed into a tree which had been blown over. His injuries are not thought to be serious.
Park rangers have been out since 2200 GMT on Tuesday using chainsaws to clear away branches and trees which have been causing obstructions.
Seven schools and one elderly day care centre have been closed because of a combination of problems caused by the wind and power cuts.
Several roads in Cowdenbeath have been closed after part of the roof of a building blew off. Diversions have been put in place and the fire service is trying to make the rest of the roof safe.
Take careTake care
In Falkirk town centre, Bank Street was also closed due to the threat of falling masonry.In Falkirk town centre, Bank Street was also closed due to the threat of falling masonry.
In Stirling, a 42-year-old man from Arbroath was taken to hospital after his lorry blew over on the M9 at Craigforth.In Stirling, a 42-year-old man from Arbroath was taken to hospital after his lorry blew over on the M9 at Craigforth.
Trees were brought down as the winds hit north Glasgow
Northern Constabulary said conditions were hazardous on Uist and Benbecula and drivers crossing causeways and bridges should take particular care.Northern Constabulary said conditions were hazardous on Uist and Benbecula and drivers crossing causeways and bridges should take particular care.
All schools on Barra, along with some on Benbecula and North Uist, have been closed because of the gales.All schools on Barra, along with some on Benbecula and North Uist, have been closed because of the gales.
Highland Council said a fallen tree was being cleared from the B9090 at Nairn. Highland Council said seaweed, stones and branches were being swept from roads in Lochaber and snow was affecting travel on the A884.
Seaweed, stones and branches were also being swept from roads in Lochaber and snow was affecting travel on the A884.
The council said there was snow on high routes in Sutherland and Ross and Cromarty.
BBC forecaster Judith Tonner said conditions should improve throughout the day.BBC forecaster Judith Tonner said conditions should improve throughout the day.
"The very deep area of low pressure across Scotland overnight brought severe gale force winds to many parts of the country with gusts as high as 84mph", she said."The very deep area of low pressure across Scotland overnight brought severe gale force winds to many parts of the country with gusts as high as 84mph", she said.
"However these will continue to ease down very slowly during Wednesday.""However these will continue to ease down very slowly during Wednesday."
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