Weather: A bit of a respite – then a new flood warning

By MIKAELA MACKINNON
Published on 24/11/2012 03:28

THE Met Office has lifted its severe weather warnings for Scotland, but heavy rain is forecast to return to other parts of the UK this weekend.

The torrential downpours of the past few days will be replaced by lighter showers over much of Scotland. But one heavy rain alert would be reinstated tomorrow, covering Tayside, Fife and parts of East Lothian, with up to 20mm posing a risk of localised flooding.

A spokesman for MeteoGroup said: “It will get quite stormy overnight for all of the UK, with a particular risk of high winds in the southern half of the UK. There will be 
high rainfall totals and further flooding.”

Earlier this week, the Met Office issued amber “be prepared” warnings for rainfall in many areas across the country. Environmental agency Sepa issued flood alerts for areas in the Scottish Borders and Tayside.

Monday’s rainfall caused a major flooding incident at Comrie, Perthshire, where the Water of Ruchill burst its banks. Residents were evacuated when about 100 homes faced a flood risk.

In Aberfoyle, Perthshire, flooding led to the main street being completely closed in both directions. Properties in Dunblane and Callander were also affected.

Flooding was also an issue further south on Monday, with homes, including a high-rise block of flats, evacuated in Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire. High water levels on major routes disrupted traffic, including on several roads in the central Borders, such as the A7 in Galashiels, the A68 and A697.

A 40mph speed limit was imposed on the Forth Road Bridge, while ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne reported disruptions to several west coast ferry routes, with winds gusting at more than 50mph near Oban.

Across the rest of the UK, 2,500 Western Power customers in the south-west of England and 500 in Wales were without electricity as high winds wreaked havoc with power lines.

The AA said it had its busiest day for flood-related call-outs in history on Thursday, with 804 requests for help. Many commuters faced major disruption again yesterday.