Storm Babet Recap: Three dead across UK | Plane skids off Leeds Bradford runway | Red warnings in force
As England, Wales and Northern Ireland faced warnings about heavy rain, Scotland continued to bear the brunt with flood defences in the town of Brechin being breached early on Friday.
Marykirk and Edzell are also badly effect with power out across the region. Flooding has also hit Dundee and dramatic images show the extent of the storm at Stonehaven.
Storm Babet in Scotland Latest
Key Events
Road Closures
Several sections of major Scottish roads are closed due to flooding.
Traffic Scotland said these include:
– The A92 closed at Parbroath Crossroads, Fife.
– The A90 closed to northbound traffic at Struan Roundabout, Dundee.
– The A90 closed to southbound traffic at Stonehaven Junction, Aberdeenshire.
– The A90 closed between Myrekirk and Swallow Roundabouts, Dundee.
– The A85 closed at Huntingtower, near Perth.
Drivers are advised to take care when crossing several bridges, including the A898 Erskine Bridge, West Dunbartonshire; the M90 Queensferry Crossing between Edinburgh and Fife; and the A87 Skye Bridge.
Second death in Storm Babet as new red warning issued
A second person has died during Storm Babet as parts of Scotland were battered by high winds and “unprecedented” flooding.
Police Scotland said a falling tree hit a van near Forfar in Angus on Thursday evening, killing the 56-year-old driver.
A 57-year-old woman also died on Thursday after being swept into a river in the county.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “(At) around 5.05pm on Thursday October 19 2023, police received a report of a one-vehicle crash in which a tree struck a van on the B9127 at Whigstreet near Forfar.
“Emergency services attended, however, the 56-year-old driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Next of kin have been informed and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”
The Met Office has issued a new red warning for rain, meaning there is a risk to life, covering parts of eastern Scotland all day on Saturday.
Rescue operations are under way in the Scottish town of Brechin, Angus, after flood defences were breached in the early hours of Friday morning, leading to hundreds of homes being surrounded by water.
The local council has appealed for donations of warm clothes after 40 people turned up to rest centres while “soaked”.
There is also an ongoing helicopter search in Aberdeenshire following a report of a man trapped in a vehicle in floodwater.
Red weather warnings EXTENDED by Met Office
Important update as weather warnings across the country are extended
Second person killed in Storm Babet, police confirm
A second person has died during Storm Babet after a falling tree hit a van near Forfar in Angus on Thursday evening, killing the 56-year-old driver, Police Scotland said.
Flooded residents may not be able to return until after Christmas
There are fears that people who had to flee their homes because of the “unprecedented” floods caused by Storm Babet may not be able to re-enter until after Christmas.
Rescue operations are underway in the Scottish town of Brechin, Angus, after flood defences were breached in the early hours of the morning, leading to hundreds of homes being surrounded by water.
Warm clothing appeal
Scotsman reporter Alison Campsie says Angus Council has launched an appeal for warm clothing. There are dozens of people at a rest centre in Brechin, many in 'soaking clothes'
What is the picture elsewhere in the UK?
Amber warnings for wind and rain have been issued for parts of northern England, the Midlands and northern Wales from noon on Friday to 6am on Saturday.
A yellow warning for Northern Ireland is also in place from 3am on Friday to 9am on Saturday.
Power Outages
The region was battered by heavy rain and 20,000 properties were hit by power cuts, although Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said electricity had been restored to almost 18,500.
Record floodwater levels
If you're struggling to fathom just how deep and fast the floodwaters have hit Brechin, this video shows the scale of the crisis.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.