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Wind hits power and shuts bridges Wind hits power and shuts bridges
(40 minutes later)
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. Gale force winds have left about 18,000 homes across Scotland without power and closed the Erskine, Forth and Tay road bridges to all traffic.
Utility companies said engineers were unable to carry out any repair work until the wind died down.Utility companies said engineers were unable to carry out any repair work until the wind died down.
Gusts of up to 80mph and heavy rain hit central, western and southern Scotland overnight.Gusts of up to 80mph and heavy rain hit central, western and southern Scotland overnight.
The weather brought down trees and toppled lorries. One man was rescued when his car entered the Clyde.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 and parts of Falkirk and Fife. Scottish Power said about 8,000 homes were affected in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and parts of Falkirk and Fife.
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 8,000 homes in Argyll and 2,000 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.She added that Islay and Jura had been badly affected.
Schools closedSchools closed
Five lorries overturned on the M74. Ferry and rail services have also been hit.Five lorries overturned on the M74. Ferry and rail services have also been hit.
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue attended 144 incidents overnight.Strathclyde Fire and Rescue attended 144 incidents overnight.
A man was rescued from this car which left the road in Wemyss Bay Crash describedA man was rescued from this car which left the road in Wemyss Bay Crash described
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.
At 1130 GMT on Tuesday, a man was rescued from flooding in Greenock Road, Wemyss Bay.At 1130 GMT on Tuesday, a man was rescued from flooding in Greenock Road, Wemyss Bay.
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.
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.
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 numerous roads were blocked or partially blocked.
In Fife, seven schools and one elderly day care centre have been closed.In Fife, seven schools and one elderly day care centre have been closed.
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 GlasgowTrees 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 seaweed, stones and branches were being swept from roads in Lochaber and snow was affecting travel on the A884.Highland Council said seaweed, stones and branches were being swept from roads in Lochaber and snow was affecting travel on the A884.
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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