Storm Caroline raises fears of death and injury in north of UKMet Office warns of flying debris in severe gales of up to 90mph as Scotland is hit by power cuts and travel disruption
Severe gales and snow showers have caused travel disruption, school closures and power cuts as Storm Caroline reaches the UK.
The storm brings the threat of injury and even loss of life to northern parts of the UK, Met Office forecasters said. It is feared that winds of up to 90mph in northern Scotland could send debris flying, damage buildings and cause power cuts.
Severe gales in the region grew stronger on Thursday morning and forecasters put in place an amber “be prepared” warning – the second most severe – for areas north of a line from Aberdeen in the east to the Isle of Skye in the west.
Areas south of that line as far as the Borders, as well as the most northerly parts of Northern Ireland, had the less severe yellow warning of high winds for most of Thursday.
Flights and ferry services had been cancelled and dozens of schools were closed across the north of the country.
Rail passengers also faced disruption, with trains cancelled after a trampoline blew on to the line in East Renfrewshire and services suspended elsewhere.
About 2,000 Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks customers in the Western Isles and about 270 in Aberdeenshire had their power cut but it had since been reconnected.
A 73mph gust was recorded at Stornoway airport, while a 69mph gust was measured at Altnaharra in Sutherland, the Met Office said.
“Storm Caroline is well on its way across northern parts of the UK,” said the meteorologist John West. “There will be devastating winds in some parts. More broadly across Scotland, there will be 60-70mph gusts. But, in exposed areas, we could see 90mph.”
The Met office said buildings could be damaged in northern Scotland. Longer journey times and cancellations were likely on road, rail, air and ferry services.