Storm Georgina blows in

Warning of high winds and possible flooding

Published 24th Jan 2018

Storm Georgina is bringing high winds and travel disruption to Glasgow and the west of Scotland with gusts of up to 90mph possible.

Met Office yellow "be aware'' warnings have been issued for high winds across Strathclyde and Dumfries and Galloway until 2pm on Wednesday.

A gust of 60mph was recorded on South Uist overnight, and 54mph at Port Ellen on Islay.

Forecasters warn of rain accompanied by strong winds and said that flooding of a few homes and businesses is likely, while flooding is also expected on roads.

Some Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services have been cancelled due to the weather while Argyll Ferries said that due to high winds, sailings on the Gourock to Dunoon route may be liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice.

A landslide has been reported on the A76 between Kirkconnel and Kelloholm in Dumfries and Galloway and vehicles are being diverted.

It also affected the railway line which runs between Kilmarnock and Dumfries but Scotrail has been able to run trains slowly past the scene.

Heavy rain is also expected and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued flood alerts in areas where thawing snow has already led to problems with lying water.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf warned travel could be disrupted.

Met Office spokesman Alex Burkill said: "Storm Georgina has arrived meaning it's very windy across much of the UK especially in Scotland.

"We could see gusts of 60, 70mph and up to 80mph and could even get up to around 90mph around the western isles."