A LORRY driver was killed during a storm that saw schools closed, train services cancelled and Glasgow Central Station evacuated.

Severe gales of up to 142mph battered Scotland causing major disruption and treacherous conditions for drivers.

The Forth Road Bridge was closed and 22 train routes shut as 19 flood alerts were issued across the east coast of the country.

In Glasgow motorists faced disruption when Alexandra Parade was closed off to traffic between Armadale Street and Alexandra Park Street in Dennistoun because of an unsafe building.

Road chiefs appealed to drivers to avoid the area if possible as diversions were put in place. Some city schools were forced to close, including Eastmuir, Carmunnock, Ibrox and Sandwood primaries and Eastwood Nusery and Buchlyvie Nursery Schools.

Glasgow Central Station and the Grand Central Hotel were evacuated when debris smashed the station roof.

Across Scotland the rivers Ness and Dee burst their banks and a tidal surge saw water wash inland along the Aberdeenshire coast.

The lorry driver died when his HGV was blown on to two cars in West Lothian. The incident occurred at the Boghead Roundabout in Bathgate at around 8.10am.

Energy firm SSE reported that around 39,000 homes across its area were without power yesterday evening, including in the Highlands, Perthshire and Aberdeenshire.

Scottish Power said it had 20,000 homes without power across the central belt while at least 150 schools across Scotland were forced to close.

More than 4000 homes without power were in Lanarkshire, making it one of the worst-hit areas.

Scottish Power has around 500 engineers working to fix faults caused by the severe weather conditions.

The company cancelled all non-essential maintenance work, and has drafted in extra engineers from England in order to help with the emergency response.

Meanwhile, rail bosses have said it was the "right decision" to cancel all services in Scotland during the storm.

Services were suspended in the morning, with trains halted at their nearest stations and passengers told to disembark after Network Rail said debris on lines and damage to equipment meant it was not safe to operate any routes.