Power cuts, travel disruption and flooding as Storm Amy hits Scotland

Latest updates

Road closed after building collapses onto street
Ferry sailings between Cairnryan and Northern Ireland cancelled due to high winds
Storm Amy to bring gusts of up to 100mph posing a danger to life
Scotrail confirmed some lines will close from 6pm due to the wind and heavy rain
Two amber alerts much of the north on Friday and Saturday
Forth Road Bridge expected to close and other crossings restricted
Edinburgh Rugby match at Murrayfield cancelled due to storm

A building has collapsed in Glasgow, and trains and ferries have been cancelled as Storm Amy hits Scotland.

Heavy rain and winds with gusts of up to 100mph are set to batter parts of the country amid an amber weather warning which came into force from 5pm on Friday.

The Met Office alert covers much of the Highlands, Orkney and Shetland, parts of Argyll and Bute and Moray, and is in place until before midnight on Saturday.

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Scotland

When and where will Storm Amy hit Scotland?

The first named storm of the season will bring heavy rain and gusts of up to 100mph in the worst-affected areas.

A further amber warning begins at midnight on Saturday until 9pm covering Aberdeenshire, Moray, the Outer Hebrides, the Highlands and Orkney.

Yellow warnings are also in place for wind on Friday and Saturday.

A further yellow warning is in place from Sunday at midnight until 9am covering Aberdeenshire, Moray, the Highlands, Orkney and Shetland.

Storm Amy: Met Office amber and yellow weather warnings issued across Scotland. STV News

The Met Office said the “damaging” winds risk causing disruption to travel routes across rail, ferry and air.

Transport Scotland’s operating company, BEAR Scotland, is warning road users to expect bridge restrictions later today.

The Forth Road Bridge has been closed to all vehicles this afternoon due to winds exceeding 65mph.

The Clackmannanshire Bridge, the Kincardine Bridge and the Tyne Bridge carrying the A1 in East Lothian are all expected to be closed to high-sided vehicles.

The Queensferry Crossing is expected to remain open to cars thanks to its wind shielding; however, restrictions on high-sided vehicles may be required later this evening.

The Tay Road Bridge remains open to all vehicles except from double decker buses, a 30mph speed limit is also in place.

The A8 between Parklea and Newark Roundabouts have been blocked off by a fallen tree.

On Friday morning, Network Rail said metal debris was blocking the north tunnel at Dundee station. Northbound services from the station were cancelled, including journeys arriving from Arbroath.

A signalling fault at Port Glasgow also disrupted commuters on the Gourock and Wemyss Bay line, with journeys forced to start and end at Langbank.

Edinburgh Rugby confirmed their match against Ulster has been postponed at Murrayfield due to the warning.

Police Scotland said a number of ferry sailings between Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway and Northern Ireland have been cancelled from midday on Friday due to the high winds forecast.

They are advising anyone booked on to any of the affected sailings not to travel to the area because long delays are expected, and said they should seek alternative travel options elsewhere.

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Passengers are advised to check with Stena Line and P&O Ferries for updates on sailings.

CalMac confirmed all sailings between Wemyss Bay to Rothesay and Gourock to Kilcreggan have been cancelled for the rest of the day.

In Dundee, Horne’s Pleasure Fairs at Caird Park has been cancelled tonight due to the storm.

A replacement bus service is in place between Gourock and Dunoon following the cancellation of sailings due to adverse weather.

Some schools in Northern Ireland have also been told to close at noon on Friday in the interests of the safety of children.

Freight drivers travelling to the area are being urged to follow instructions from port operators and Police Scotland about accessing the site while the cancellations are in place.

Forecasters are warning of a danger to life from flying debris, large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.

Scotland

Storm Amy to batter Scotland with 100mph winds and heavy rain

An amber alert has been issued, which will bring heavy rain and gusts of up to 100mph within the worst-affected areas in the north-west of the country.

There is a risk of landslides across the country during the warning.

SEPA has issued red flood warnings for Kilbirnie and Glengarnock, Dalry and Kilwinning. Amber flood alerts in Skye and Lochaber, Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire and Arran and Wester Ross, are also in place.

The public has been warned to expect delays to public transport, spray and flooding on roads, as well as potential power cuts and flooding in homes and businesses.

Ahead of the blustery and wet conditions, Scotrail has confirmed the following lines will close from 6pm on Friday due to forecast wind gusts and heavy rain:

Mallaig – Fort William
Fort William – Crianlarich
Inverness – Aberdeen
Inverness – Wick / Thurso
Inverness – Kyle of Lochalsh
Perth – Inverness
Glasgow Queen Street – Oban / Fort William / Mallaig

No replacement transport will be made available. Tickets dated for travel on Friday, October 3, can be used on Thursday, October 2, Saturday, October 4, or Sunday, October 5.

On all other routes, speed restrictions will be introduced from 7pm until the end of service to ensure the safety of customers and staff. This may extend journey times and result in some service alterations.

Network Rail confirmed that they lost power to the overhead lines near Irvine, affecting services between Kilwinning and Ayr. Engineers have been sent to investigate further.

Trains between Glasgow and Dumbarton/Helensburgh/Balloch have been cancelled due to severe flooding on the line at Bowling.

ScotRail believes that some disruption to services will extend into Saturday and possibly Sunday, while Network Rail carries out safety checks for obstructions on the line and assesses any damage to infrastructure.

A number of arrivals and departures at Aberdeen Airport, Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh Airport have been cancelled due to the conditions.

The SSEN live power tracker has registered issues in 165 locations across the country. The operator has confirmed the network has been “considerably impacted” by the strong winds, causing damage to wires.

Due to the adverse conditions, the SSEN has predicted that some properties may not have their power restored until Monday night.

Chief Superintendent Scott McCarren, head of Road Policing, said: “I would encourage people to drive to the conditions and be aware of increased stopping distances.

“In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.

“Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.”