People in the Western Isles are being urged to stay at home and only travel if it is essential as a wild storm batters the islands.
The adverse weather is worse than forecast, causing power cuts, flooding, road closures and ferry cancellations.
Wind speeds could reach 100mph tonight as Storm Brendan continues to deepen.
Gusts of 87 mph were recorded on the west coast of South Uist at lunchtime today while 83mph was experienced in Stornoway.
Strong winds brought down a tree in Stornoway.
All Western Isles schools shut today and bus services cancelled.
Libraries and GP surgeries shut early as the weather intensified over the day.
Western Isles Emergency Planning and Coordinating Group met this afternoon, looking at the risks and impacts of the current and forecast conditions across the island chain.
The group warned of the risk of higher winds, rain and tides plus the potential of flooding in Stornoway town centre at high tide over the next 24 hours.
Breaking waves flinging large stones and debris forced the Bràighe roadway on Lewis to close for a period this morning. The road is highly likely to shut for a number of hours this evening and tomorrow morning.
Causeways in Uist and the Scalpay Bridge are also likely to be impacted warned the comhairle.
A council spokesman said: “There is a heightened risk that all the causeways in the Western Isles may be closed at tomorrow’s high tides due to high waves and strong southerly to southwesterly winds.
“The public are advised to travel with care. CnES Roads and police will be monitoring all causeways.”
Power cuts affected exposed parts of South Harris and North Uist today. SEE drafted in a dozen extra repair squads from the mainland ahead of the bad weather.
All island ferry services were cancelled with disruption set to continue into Wednesday.
100mph wind speeds set to hit Western Isles
13 January 2020