A MASSIVE clear-up operation was under way today as Scotland recovered from 90mph storms which wreaked havoc across the country.

The storms have now abated and homeowners and local authorities have been left to count the cost of the damage.

Similar to storms seen in 1987 and 2000, yesterday's blasts were caused by a downward rush of warm air hitting the ground, causing winds to accelerate to 100mph.

As winds eased throughout the day, the Erskine Bridge was reopened to all traffic yesterday and restrictions on the A78 between Largs and Skelmorlie were lifted as flood waters subsided.

Just 0.2mm of rain fell overnight compared to 20mm the previous night and gusts reached a maximum of 36mph.

Today more rain moved in from the south and Glasgow was likely to be wet, but far less windy with temperatures reaching around 5 or 6 degrees.

Forecasters said there is likely to be a mix of weather tomorrow but it will be calmer.

City centre streets were being cleared of rubble and debris today after staff from the council's land and environmental services attended to localised flooding, fallen trees and other incidents across the city.

The council's building control team was called to a number of incidents throughout the city including the Great Eastern Hotel where parts of the roof had blown off, which caused the closure of Duke Street. The area was cordoned off today until it could be assessed.

One Lanarkshire family were today recovering after a tree crashed through their home as their children lay sleeping.

John McShane, 44, and wife Susan, 41, heard a "loud bang" as an oak tree, toppled by high winds, smashed through the roof and conservatory of their Uddingston home.

Jumping out of bed to survey the damage, the couple, who have three children, were shocked to find a large branch protruding through the ceiling of their upstairs hall.

Site manager John revealed: "We had to calm the kids down first as they were terrified. The weather was really wild and it was just unfortunate that our house got hit."

The tree brought down Perspex panels in their conservatory, leaving a gaping hole in its roof and damaging a TV, sofas and blinds, which could cost an estimated £30,000 to repair.

Conditions also resulted in the closure of two schools, St Louise's Primary, Arden, and St Conval's Primary, Pollokshaws, while flooding and wind damage hit several more.

At least 70 large trees, including a willow near Glasgow Green which was hundreds of years old, became storm casualties.

A spokeswoman for Glasgow Housing Association said a number of its properties had had tiles and slates blown off roofs and emergency squads had been called to repair them.

Residents in areas where power supplies were affected were beginning to get back to normal today.

Around 1000 Scottish Hydro Electric customers in Argyll hoped to be reconnected through the course of the day.

A handful of ScottishPower customers still without power also expected to be reconnected.

Russian roulette' as drivers left seeing red

MOTORISTS at one of the busiest junctions in the west of Scotland have been playing "Russian roulette". Storms left traffic lights at the St James' Interchange near Paisley stuck on red yesterday morning. But drivers using the junction - a key link between Greenock, Paisley and Glasgow - still faced problems today. One motorist said: "It's unbelievable. "It seriously is like playing Russian roulette because some drivers don't know they are not working, or won't move, while others will just go for it. "It was bad enough yesterday, but now we have a second day of chaos." Renfrewshire Council is responsible for maintaining the lights. A spokeswoman said: "There was damage to the signals as a result of the storm overnight on Tuesday, which caused problems with the lights being stuck on red. "The lights were repaired by a contractor. However, overnight the problem seems to have recurred as a result of the weather. "The contractor is due to attend, and in the meantime the lights are being switched off to allow traffic through."