Storm Amy danger warnings issued as 100mph gusts forecast

Safety warnings have been issued as Storm Amy moves across the UK, possibly bringing gusts of up to 100mph in some exposed areas.

Amber warnings for high winds, where flying debris could pose a risk to life, have been issued for parts of Northern Ireland and in north and north-western Scotland.

The first power cuts have been reported in the Highlands and some islands, while heavy rain could lead to flooding and widespread travel disruption.

Amy, the first named storm of the season, earlier caused flight and train cancellations in Northern Ireland, and hundreds of schools closed early.

About 50,000 properties in Northern Ireland are currently without power, NIE Networks have said.

All trains lines in Northern Ireland have closed, while Belfast’s airport advised passengers to check the status of their flight with their airline.

About a dozen passengers were stranded on a train in Aberdeenshire that hit a tree on the line.

The 17.43 from Inverurie to Aberdeen was operating under speed restrictions put in place ahead of Storm Amy when the incident happened. No-one was injured.

As the storm sweeps across Scotland, peak wind speeds of 70mph will be widespread in the amber warning zone.

For more exposed areas, particularly around Tiree, western Lochaber and Skye, gusts of up to 100mph could occur for a time, according to the Met Office.

A wind gust of 96mph has was recorded in Tiree at about 19:00.

A wider yellow warning for winds up to 60mph – and up to 70mph in exposed areas – covers all of Scotland and extends across northern England and parts of Wales.

A number of flights, rail and ferry services in Scotland have been cancelled while some road bridges are either closed or have restrictions on high-sided vehicles.

ScotRail said all services from Glasgow Central were suspended after 19:00.

The Forth Road Bridge has closed to all vehicles while the Clackmannanshire Bridge, Kincardine Bridge and A1 Tyne Bridge in East Lothian are expected to be closed for high-sided vehicles.

Transport company Bear Scotland said it hoped the Queensferry Crossing across the Firth of Forth would remain open to cars thanks to its wind shielding, but it may close for high-sided vehicles.

Ross Moran, Network Rail route director for Scotland, said he expected the storm to bring “severe and substantial across the network”.

He said four railway lines were closed as a precaution – the West Highland Line, the Highland Mainline, the Wick Line and the Kyle Line – and there were speed restrictions on all Scottish routes.

“We have to put safety first and those speed restrictions mean there are likely to be some cancellations, there is likely to be some delays – so the message is check before you travel,” he said.

Transport disruption:

• The following train services are cancelled from 18:00. Mallaig – Fort William, Fort William – Crianlarich, Crianlarich – Oban, Inverness – Aberdeen, Inverness – Wick / Thurso, Inverness – Kyle of Lochalsh, Perth – Inverness.
• All services from Glasgow Central have been suspended
• Other routes may also be affected and speed restrictions will be in force from 18:00.
• Traffic at the Rest and Be Thankful in Argyll has been diverted on to the Old Military Road. Traffic Scotland said it was monitoring conditions.
• Delays and cancellations expected on CalMac’s west coast ferry network. It has asked passengers to check its website for updates.
• Some ferry crossings between Cairnryan and Northern Ireland have been cancelled since 12:00.
• Forth Road Bridge has closed to all vehicles, while other bridges may have restrictions on high-sided vehicles.

Police Scotland said a number of ferry crossings between Cairnryan, in Dumfries and Galloway, and Northern Ireland were cancelled from 12:00.

The force advised those booked onto affected sailings not to travel to the area as long delays are expected.

Officers also said customers should check with Stena Line and P&O Ferries for updates. Freight drivers are encouraged to contact port authorities for more information.

Scotland’s transport secretary, Fiona Hyslop, said: “We are urging people planning to travel on trains, ferries and flights to contact their operators to find out if their service is affected.

“Motorists will face difficult driving conditions, so it’s vital people plan ahead if they have to travel to see if their route is impacted by the weather.”

Police Scotland’s Ch Supt Scott McCarren, head of road policing, said drivers should drive to the conditions and be aware of increased stopping distances.

Traffic Scotland operator manager Douglas Cairns urged anyone planning to travel to consider whether their journey was “absolutely necessary”.

Power firm SSEN said text messages were being sent to more than 180,000 of its more vulnerable customers, giving them help and advice in the event they lose power.

The United Rugby Championship (URC) fixture between Edinburgh and Ulster, which had been due to take place on Friday evening, was postponed due to the adverse conditions.

The junior and mini Great Scottish Run in Glasgow on Saturday have been cancelled due to the weather warning.

Organisers said the strong winds and rain would create a risk of debris for the Glasgow Green events, which also included a toddler dash.