Great balls of water
10 December 2014
Wild seas whipped by ferocious winds piled up into giant water balls as they headed towards the Western Isles coast today.
40 foot high waves crashed onto the islands’ exposed shoreline as the violent storm deepened.
Thunderstorms and heavy hail also affected the islands over the past 24 hours.
Causeways interlinking islands within the Outer Hebrides were shut as waves crashing over the road links made travel to Vatersay and Eriskay hazardous.
A footbridge over a stream in the Westside district of Lewis was washed away by large seas.
Bus services for Lewis and Harris were suspended as the storm peaked in the afternoon.
All island ferries were stormbound in port, many for the second day.
Many islanders heeded police advice not to travel due to exceptionally adverse weather.
Schools, libraries and sports centres were shut across the islands.
All non-