Coastal routes in Moray remained closed overnight because of flooding from the severe storms that hit throughout the UK on Thursday.
Lennox Place and Stewart Street in Portgordon were closed from late morning as the Moray coastline was pounded by heavy seas and gale force winds while the Portessie area of Buckie was closed along Great Western Road after a tidal surge left parts of the route under several feet of water.
While the storms have abated and roads are expected to reopen this morning, motorists are being urged to take additional care.
Sandbags were delivered by the local authority to homes in Portessie, Portgordon and Kingston where roads were impossible to use either side of high tide on Thursday afternoon.
The coastal routes were not the only parts of the region affected, with Elgin’s Trinity Road also closed after sections of the roof covering at Elgin Community Centre were loosened by the high winds.
Kinloss primary school and St Peter’s Primary in Buckie had to be closed after roof damage was caused to both and a power failure at Grange and Crossroads Primaries forced them to send children home.
A Moray Council spokesman said: “As well as filling and delivering sandbags, council workmen were kept busy clearing fallen trees, branches and other debris from roads throughout Moray.
“With a further high tide due around 2am, the situation was continuing to be monitored by the council’s emergency response team.”
As the wind eases temperatures today are predicted to plunge below zero with snow showers expected.