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Bombs found in flooding clean-up A9 reopens after severe weather
(about 4 hours later)
Four unexploded bombs have been safely detonated after being uncovered by severe flooding in the Highlands. The A9 has fully reopened after sections of the road were closed by extreme weather and the discovery of four unexploded bombs.
The discovery - about 30 yards from a gas main - closed the A9 at the Catalina Junction near Alness. The devices were safely detonated after being unearthed by severe flooding about 30 yards from a gas main at the Catalina Junction near Alness.
Engineers are working to restore power supplies to about 7,000 homes after high winds and torrential rain battered the north and north east of Scotland. Meanwhile, engineers hope to restore power supplies to most of the 7,500 affected homes by Friday evening.
Highland Council's road teams are also clearing fallen trees in Inverness and the Ross, Cromarty and Skye area. First Scotrail said there were still no rail services north of Inverness.
Supt Andy Cowie, the Northern Constabulary officer in charge of co-ordinating the emergency response to the extreme weather, said a bomb disposal team was called to deal with the devices. The response to the floods has been criticised by some politicians, including John Farquhar Munro, MSP for Ross, Skye and Inverness West, who said he wanted to see more help for flooded communities.
The bombs, which were unearthed on a river bank by the floods, were detonated in two controlled explosions. River bank
However, police have defended the action taken by emergency services and agencies tasked to dealing with what was described by Northern Constabulary as a major incident.
The full length of the A9 reopened on Friday.
A bomb disposal team had been called to deal with the bombs which were unearthed on a river bank.
They were detonated in two controlled explosions.
Catalina Junction is close to the site of a former World War II sea plane base.Catalina Junction is close to the site of a former World War II sea plane base.
Fallen treesFallen trees
The clean-up operation follows flooding and winds which reached 90mph in some areas, with fallen trees blocking dozens of roads in the Highlands.The clean-up operation follows flooding and winds which reached 90mph in some areas, with fallen trees blocking dozens of roads in the Highlands.
A number of schools were due to remain closed in the area on Friday. A number of schools remained closed in the area on Friday.
The heavy downfall also caused flooding and disruption in areas of the Northern Isles, including Kirkwall.The heavy downfall also caused flooding and disruption in areas of the Northern Isles, including Kirkwall.
Fallen trees and broken branches are affected sections of the A9.
Scotsburn Road in Tain is partially closed following the collapse of the Quebec Bridge.
Since the incident began Northern Constabulary said it had dealt with 338 incidents and taken more than 5,000 calls from the public.Since the incident began Northern Constabulary said it had dealt with 338 incidents and taken more than 5,000 calls from the public.
Power engineers
Emergency planners are now meeting to discuss how to deal with the situation in Easter Ross, Caithness and Sutherland.
Motorists were urged not to make any journeys in parts of the Highlands and Grampian on Thursday evening due to the high winds.
Earlier, 40 people were rescued from their flooded homes in Dingwall by lifeboat volunteers.
The heavy rains also brought problems for residents of KirkwallThe heavy rains also brought problems for residents of Kirkwall
Emergency planners have been meeting to discuss how to deal with the situation in Easter Ross, Caithness and Sutherland.
On Thursday, 40 people were rescued from their flooded homes in Dingwall by lifeboat volunteers.
More than 20 people were put into hotel accommodation, while a number of others were staying with relatives.More than 20 people were put into hotel accommodation, while a number of others were staying with relatives.
A train from Glasgow to Inverness had been stranded after hitting branches on the line between Carrbridge and Inverness.A train from Glasgow to Inverness had been stranded after hitting branches on the line between Carrbridge and Inverness.
The line was washed away at Helmsdale, meaning that alternative transport will be required for journeys between Inverness and Wick for several days.The line was washed away at Helmsdale, meaning that alternative transport will be required for journeys between Inverness and Wick for several days.
Scottish Hydro Electric said the extensive flooding and strong winds were making it difficult to restore energy supplies.Scottish Hydro Electric said the extensive flooding and strong winds were making it difficult to restore energy supplies.
Flood warning
The firm has drafted in hundreds of extra engineers to help local staff restore supplies in the north.The firm has drafted in hundreds of extra engineers to help local staff restore supplies in the north.
A spokesmen said anyone finding an overhead power line which had been blown down should call its emergency line on 0800 300 999 and keep clear because the cable could still be live.A spokesmen said anyone finding an overhead power line which had been blown down should call its emergency line on 0800 300 999 and keep clear because the cable could still be live.
Live flood warning information is available from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) on 0845 988 1188.Live flood warning information is available from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) on 0845 988 1188.
Meanwhile, police said they had been made aware of a number of abandoned vehicles between the Dornoch Bridge and the Mound.Meanwhile, police said they had been made aware of a number of abandoned vehicles between the Dornoch Bridge and the Mound.
They are asking the owners to bring their vehicle's keys to Dornoch Police Station or telephone 01862 810222.They are asking the owners to bring their vehicle's keys to Dornoch Police Station or telephone 01862 810222.