Heavy rain and severe winds caused power cuts and travel problems across much of Scotland on Tuesday.
Gusts up to 70mph hit the country causing damage to property, but no reported injuries.
A Scottish Hydro spokesman said there were about 600 customers in Tayside and 450 in the Aberdeen area without power last night.
Although the wind has died down this morning, there are reports of localised flooding after a night of heavy rain.
A coastguard helicopter, Anstruther lifeboat and Fife police were involved in the search operation, which turned out to be a false alarm. Roadworks signs were found in the sea and this was what the woman had seen.
Gale force winds battered Dundee for much of the day, with one motorist narrowly avoiding being crushed by a tree.
The man was treated by paramedics on Arbroath Road and police closed the road between Baxter Park Terrace and Dalkeith Road as work began to remove the tree.
Elsewhere in the city emergency services were called to flats at City Quay after insulation and metal sheeting blew off a building.
There was a lucky escape for passers-by outside the Apex Hotel when debris smashed to the ground from the roof.
The Tay Road Bridge was forced to close to double-decker buses, high-sided vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
The Met Office say conditions are set to improve slightly today with gales dying down. However, the blustery weather is set to make a comeback on Saturday and Sunday.