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STORM UPDATE: Causeway open
High winds continue to batter the Western Isles this morning (Wednesday) but causeways have re-opened.
The Braighe is open but is being monitored in the run up to high tide at 8.30am.
Baleshare, North Ford and Eriskay Causeways are open at the present time.
Last night Coastguard Rescue Teams assisted Northern Constabulary in closing the causeways between North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Eriskay as storm force westerly winds coincide dwith very high tides.
Using their 4x4 vehicles, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Griminish, Benbecula and Lochboisdale worked with police units to close off flooded roads and causeways until conditions abated.
At 8pm last night the Hebrides Range on the West side of South Uist recorded south westerly winds of 57 mph gusting 84 mph. The winds were combined with driving rain, coastal sea spray and some roads awash with the tide.
Carol Collins, Watch Manager at Stornoway Coastguard, said: “This stormy atlantic weather has been well forecast over the last few days with an amber weather alert issued by the Met Office for the area, and a flood alert issued for the Western Isles by SEPA.
“In these poor conditions, we ask that the public take extra care and avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary.”
“We are grateful to the volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers who have helped out this evening”.
Damage to a property at Leverburgh last night meant some homes had to be evacuated.
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Weather for Stornoway
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 31 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 35 mph
Wind direction: North
