High winds rip off flat roof

STRONG winds blew the roof from a block of flats in Perth today.

A family had to be evacuated after part of the roof was ripped from the building in Perth at around 12.30am today, police said.

Part of Tay Street remains closed today between Marshall Place and Canal Street causing disruption for motorists.

A spokesman for Tayside Police said: "Quite significant traffic disruption will continue today in the city centre. Diversions are in place.

"The roof was ripped off quite a modern block of flats and damaged a number of cars. No-one was injured. There were very strong winds at the time.

"A fairly significant portion of the roof had been torn off."

Tony Conlan, a forecaster for MeteoGroup, said: "It was certainly quite a windy night across Scotland, particularly in northern areas. The highest wind speed was 59mph in Scotland at 5am at South Uist in the Outer Hebrides.

"In Perthshire the wind speed at 1am reached 45mph and at 2am it was 51mph.

"The strongest winds today will be in northern areas reaching 70mph in exposed areas but probably reaching 50mph in other parts."