SCOTLAND BRACED FOR 80MPH STORM ELEANOR
80mph Eleanor blows in as forecasters warn of damage along coast and travel disruption
HIGH winds are expected to batter parts of Scotland this morning as Storm Eleanor sweeps in with gusts of up to 80mph.
Severe weather warnings are in place through most of today for south-west Scotland, Lothian and Borders and southern areas of Strathclyde.
Forecasters said high tides and gales will bring a risk of “injuries and danger to life”.
They also warned of power cuts and transport disruption.
Met Office spokeswoman Emma Sharples said: “Exposed coasts within the warning area could see 60-70mph gusts while they could be close to 80mph in isolated and very exposed areas.
“We will see winds easing down as we go through the day but there will still be some quite gusty winds.”
Torrential downpours caused problems for drivers yesterday as heavy rain pushed in ahead of Storm Eleanor’s arrival.
A flood alert for Dumfries and Galloway was issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
High tides combined with a large storm surge were expected last night and into today.
They warned coastal area roads may flood around high tide at midday.
Twelve flood warnings are in place in southern Scotland, as well as one in Fife and one in central Scotland.
SEPA also issued flood alerts for coastlines in northern Scotland.
The latest warnings come just days after Storm Dylan raged on Hogmanay.
Met Office chief forecaster Paul Gundersen said: “The unsettled theme continues throughout this week with further bouts of wet and windy weather.
“Storm Eleanor will bring gales or severe gales in places. Severe weather warnings have been issued.”
The warnings are in force until 6pm.