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High winds disrupt power and travel across Scotland High winds disrupt travel and power across Scotland
(35 minutes later)
About 20,000 homes are without power and trains on more than 20 routes in Scotland have been cancelled because of high winds. All trains have been cancelled in Scotland and about 20,000 homes are without power because of high winds.
ScotRail said, due to the extent of the restrictions, customers should consider whether their journeys were essential. Network Rail said no trains would run for public safety reasons due to the extent of fallen trees and debris on the tracks.
Drivers have been urged to take care due to debris on the roads causing widespread disruption. Police Scotland has advised drivers to avoid travelling on the roads in the south, west, central belt and into south Perthshire.
The Met Office recorded a gust of 106 miles an hour at Glenogle in Stirlingshire. The Met Office recorded a gust of 106mph at Glenogle in Stirlingshire.
It has issued a yellow warning of westerly gales, with widespread gusts of 60 to 70 mph across the country, valid until 16:00 on Thursday.It has issued a yellow warning of westerly gales, with widespread gusts of 60 to 70 mph across the country, valid until 16:00 on Thursday.
Scottish Fire and Rescue said they were struggling to cope with the number of calls they were receiving about falling masonry, fallen trees and road accidents.Scottish Fire and Rescue said they were struggling to cope with the number of calls they were receiving about falling masonry, fallen trees and road accidents.
It is being reported that a person is trapped in a taxi in Bothwell Road in Hamilton. BBC Scotland understands that a car has gone into a loch on the A816 near Kilmerfort in Argyll - it is not known if anyone is inside.It is being reported that a person is trapped in a taxi in Bothwell Road in Hamilton. BBC Scotland understands that a car has gone into a loch on the A816 near Kilmerfort in Argyll - it is not known if anyone is inside.
Network Rail said that due to debris smashing glass in the roof, Glasgow Central station was being evacuated. No-one has been hurt and arriving passengers are being escorted from the building by station staff. Network Rail said that due to debris smashing glass in the roof, Glasgow Central station was being evacuated. No-one has been hurt and arriving passengers were being escorted from the building by station staff.
The Forth Road Bridge has been closed to all traffic.The Forth Road Bridge has been closed to all traffic.
Ibrox Primary and nursery in Glasgow are closed this morning. Stirling Council has closed ten primary schools and three high schools. Other closed bridges include: Tay Road Bridge, M90 Friarton Bridge, A876 Clackmannanshire Bridge, A9 Dornoch Bridge and the Skye Bridge.
Fife Council said East Wemyss Primary School and Largoward Primary School were closed. Some schools were closed in these council areas: Glasgow, Stirling, Fife, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Argyll & Bute, Dumfries & Galloway and the Borders
By late Wednesday, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), had issued nine flood warnings.By late Wednesday, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), had issued nine flood warnings.
These cover parts of central Scotland, Lothian, Fife, Skye and Lochaber.These cover parts of central Scotland, Lothian, Fife, Skye and Lochaber.
The winds are forecast to ease down in most areas by Thursday afternoon.The winds are forecast to ease down in most areas by Thursday afternoon.
Morven Smith from Scottish Hydro told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that extra engineers had been enlisted as well as additional customer service staff.Morven Smith from Scottish Hydro told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that extra engineers had been enlisted as well as additional customer service staff.
She said the number without power could rise, with the north west of Inverness particularly badly affected.She said the number without power could rise, with the north west of Inverness particularly badly affected.
Nick King from Network Rail said about 1,00 trains were expected to run, which was 40% of the normal weekday capacity.
He said there were unsafe trees in the south side of Glasgow, damage to overhead power lines near Helensburgh, and flooding and debris on the lines in the Highlands.
A spokeswoman for Scotrail said: "I can assure you that we are doing everything possible to mitigate the impact on our passengers.
"We will constantly review the weather conditions and work closely with Network Rail to agree when we can safely resume the normal timetable."
Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne have said the forecast is looking particularly severe and are advising all ferry travellers to take this into account when planning journeys in the next few days.Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne have said the forecast is looking particularly severe and are advising all ferry travellers to take this into account when planning journeys in the next few days.
Air passengers are advised to check with airports and airlines before travelling.Air passengers are advised to check with airports and airlines before travelling.
The Scottish government has warned of potential disruption over the next 24-36 hours due to the severe winter gales and the potential of flooding on east and west coasts.The Scottish government has warned of potential disruption over the next 24-36 hours due to the severe winter gales and the potential of flooding on east and west coasts.
It said its resilience operation had been activated to liaise with authorities and organisations across the country and to co-ordinate any activity as required.It said its resilience operation had been activated to liaise with authorities and organisations across the country and to co-ordinate any activity as required.
Transport minister Keith Brown added: "I would urge the travelling public to consider the conditions before they set-off on their journeys.Transport minister Keith Brown added: "I would urge the travelling public to consider the conditions before they set-off on their journeys.
"Indications are that bridges across the country will be affected by the strong winds and closures are expected during the morning peak period. People should listen to radio reports or visit the Traffic Scotland website or twitter feed, and carefully consider police advice.""Indications are that bridges across the country will be affected by the strong winds and closures are expected during the morning peak period. People should listen to radio reports or visit the Traffic Scotland website or twitter feed, and carefully consider police advice."
Drivers who decide to travel have been warned they are "likely to experience significant delays".Drivers who decide to travel have been warned they are "likely to experience significant delays".
Road conditionsRoad conditions
Supt Iain Murray of Police Scotland said: "Drivers are advised to plan their journeys before setting out in the morning by checking media and public information sites for early indications of road closures and other incidents on the network.Supt Iain Murray of Police Scotland said: "Drivers are advised to plan their journeys before setting out in the morning by checking media and public information sites for early indications of road closures and other incidents on the network.
"High winds and driving rain will make driving conditions difficult, particularly on open roads and over bridges."High winds and driving rain will make driving conditions difficult, particularly on open roads and over bridges.
"If you must travel during rush hour, allow plenty of time for your journey and drive with care to the road conditions using dipped headlights and keeping a safe braking distance from the vehicles travelling ahead of you.""If you must travel during rush hour, allow plenty of time for your journey and drive with care to the road conditions using dipped headlights and keeping a safe braking distance from the vehicles travelling ahead of you."
Senior Met Office Advisor Graeme Forrester said: "We are working closely with emergency responders in Scotland, including our partners within Scottish government and Transport Scotland, to ensure that everyone can prepare for the expected severe weather.Senior Met Office Advisor Graeme Forrester said: "We are working closely with emergency responders in Scotland, including our partners within Scottish government and Transport Scotland, to ensure that everyone can prepare for the expected severe weather.
"We currently have an advisor sitting within the Control Centre at South Queensferry who is able to give up-to-date advice to the team in order to keep Scotland's roads as clear and as safe as possible during this relatively short-lived period of severe weather."We currently have an advisor sitting within the Control Centre at South Queensferry who is able to give up-to-date advice to the team in order to keep Scotland's roads as clear and as safe as possible during this relatively short-lived period of severe weather.
"The worst of the conditions are forecast in the Highlands and northern Scotland with winds of up to 80mph possible. However, parts of the central belt will also be affected by some very strong winds during Thursday morning's rush hour period.""The worst of the conditions are forecast in the Highlands and northern Scotland with winds of up to 80mph possible. However, parts of the central belt will also be affected by some very strong winds during Thursday morning's rush hour period."