Flood warnings remain in place as heavy rain and high winds continue to batter the country.

Hundreds of homes in the town of Dumfries lost power and a landslip disrupted trains between Kilmarnock and Dumfries. Network Rail said it was working to clear the debris and that a replacement bus service was running.

Driving conditions are also dangerous. Amber "be prepared" weather warnings have been issued for Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway, Lothian and Borders and central Scotland.

Emergency services are trying to prevent flooding in the Perthshire village of Comrie where 100 residents were evacuated on Monday when the Water of Ruchill river burst its banks.

Hundreds of sandbags have been distributed by the council and water has been pumped away from saturated areas. Perth and Kinross Council announced flood defences for the village, also flooded in August, are to be strengthened with £1 million to build a wall and raise a road close to the river.

The worst of the weather was expected in the morning rush-hour.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "We have a further bank of rain to come across from Northern Ireland later on and we are seeing some flooding and also one or two trees coming down on local roads."

Flood alerts remain in 11 areas including Dumfries and Galloway, Strathclyde, Tayside and the Lothians, with 10 further warnings across the country. Dumfries and Galloway Council said the Rivers Cree and Nith were being monitored.

Sepa's Marc Becker said: "Areas likely to be worst affected are those which experienced flooding earlier in the week. Members of the public in areas that could be affected are encouraged to remain vigilant and mindful of the conditions, especially if travelling."

Last night The Whitesands in Dumfries, which saw homes and businesses flooded in the week by the River Nith, was closed off by the police for safety reasons.