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Scotland should brace for potential chaos on the trainlines in the coming days, according to Network Rail, as ex- hurricane Melissa brings "extreme rain" to the country. The transport body has issued a warning saying it is actively preparing for potential disruption on Monday, November 3, and Tuesday, November 4, and may introduce speed restrictions on several major routes. Melissa made landfall on Tuesday in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with top winds of 185 mph (295 kph) - one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record. The storms effects continue to sweep out across the Atlantic , and are now due to reach the UK next week. The infrastructure operator said it had convened a meeting with its operations and response teams, alongside train operators, to assess the forecast and coordinate plans. Proactive checks are now underway at known flood sites, and additional staff have been deployed to monitor conditions and respond quickly to any incidents. In a statement on social media , Network Rail said: “We’ve just held a meeting with our operations team, response teams, and train operators to discuss the forecast over the coming days. "The remnants of ex-hurricane Melissa will bring bands of extreme rain to western Scotland, particularly on Monday and Tuesday. Our weather specialists are analysing the expected rainfall totals and potential impact. "With this coming immediately after heavy rain in the same areas over recent days, it's likely we’ll impose speed restrictions, slowing trains down on parts of the worst-affected routes. These include the West Highland Line, the West Coast Main Line (WCML) and the Stranraer line. "We’ll share further details on Sunday morning about the likely impact when confidence in the forecast grows." It added: "Our teams are now carrying out proactive checks of known flood sites. We have extra staff available over the coming days to protect the railway, with response teams standing by to deal with any disruption that could affect services. We’re in close contact with all train operators and will work together to help keep you moving.” The warning comes as heavy rain has plagued some parts of the country for days, raising concerns about saturated ground and the risk of flooding. The worst of the weather was felt in southern and central areas on Halloween. But it was a similar tale further north, with heavy rain and thunderstorms expected in North Ayrshire and Argyll on the west coast from around lunchtime. ScotRail echoed the statement, writing on X: "From Sunday evening, we’re expecting persistent and heavy rain across the western parts of the country. "As a result, Network Rail may need to impose speed restrictions on some lines. If you're travelling on Monday or Tuesday, please check your journey before you travel." At least 25 people have died across Haiti and 18 are missing following the massive storm , Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency said in a statement on Wednesday. Cuba was also hit, as were countries even outside its direct path. Twenty of those reported dead and 10 of the missing are from a southern coastal town where flooding collapsed dozens of homes. At least eight are dead in Jamaica.
