Flood alerts as wind and high tides to cause disruption

By FRANK URQUHART
Published on 21/12/2012 01:55

THE Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) this afternoon issued a renewed flood warning for a huge swathe of Scotland.

• Rising rivers present flood risks on low lying areas.

• Serco NorthLink ferries to cancel lifeline services due to conditions.

Richard Brown, the agency’s head of hydrology, said: “Due to persistent and heavy rain over many parts of Scotland there is a widespread flood risk. The heaviest rainfall is expected to be in Stirlingshire, Perthshire, Angus, South Aberdeenshire, Central, the Southern Uplands and an area just to the North of Glasgow. The rain will be accompanied by strong to gale force south-easterly winds.

“There is a risk of river flooding on Thursday and Friday for Tayside, Dundee, Angus, Aberdeenshire, Lothians, Fife, Scottish Borders and Argyll and Bute. Impacts in these areas could include flooding to land and roads.”

He continued: “There is also a coastal flood risk for the latter part of Thursday and throughout Friday for the northern, Moray and eastern coastlines including Stonehaven and Orkney. Disruption is possible in areas where defences were damaged over last weekend.

“Twelve specific Flood Warnings are currently in place for Finavon and Tannadice, Broughty Ferry, Dundee Central, Riverside West, Kirkcaldy, Aberbothrie, Bridge of Ruthven to Leitfie, Carse of Lennoch to Lochlane, Crieff to Innerpeffray, Innerpeffray to Bridge of Earn, Taymouth Castle to Boat of Cluny, and The River Isla at Coupar Angus.

“At present thirteen more general Flood Alerts have also been issued covering Dundee and Angus, Fife, Tayside, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City, Argyll and Bute, Caithness and Sutherland, Central, Edinburgh and Lothians, Findhorn Nairn Moray and Speyside, Orkney, the Scottish Borders, Shetland and West Central Scotland.

“The rain is expected to gradually decrease during Friday before further rain extends northwards during Saturday.”

Paul Wheelhouse, the Scottish Environment Minister, said: “With this latest bout of severe weather in parts of Scotland I would reiterate SEPAs’ advice that the public should remain vigilant and pay attention to Floodline. The Scottish Government’s Resilience Team is monitoring the situation and is engaged with local responders to understand the impacts of the weather on areas affected and support their efforts to protect communities across Scotland.”

In Perthshire the A9 was completely closed to traffic, both northbound and southbound, between Kindallachan and Ballinluig due to flooding.

Safety

High winds today forced Serco NorthLink Ferries to cancel services on the lifeline routes between Aberdeen and the Northern Isles. The sailing of the MV Hjaltland from Aberdeen to Kirkwall and Lerwick and tonight’s departure of the MV Hrossey from Lerwick to Aberdeen have both been cancelled “due to adverse weather conditions and in the interest of passenger safety and comfort.”

Meanwhile Moray Council has announced that work is expected to be completed today on temporary repairs to a section of the seawall at Lossiemouth harbour damaged in Saturday’s storm surge. Massive waves breached a stretch of the wall adjacent to Station Park, with debris strewn over a large area.

A council spokesman said: “The area was cordoned off while Moray Council arranged a clear-up operation and attempted to salvage as much of the displaced stones from the seawall. It is also hoped to salvage and reuse much of the surfacing materials from the park.

Repairs

“In the meantime the breach in the seawall has been plugged temporarily with large concrete demountable blocks which have been used on the Elgin flood alleviation scheme. It is hoped to effect permanent repairs, using as much of the salvaged stone as possible, in the spring.”

He added: A structural assessment will require to be carried out on the seawall to establish the full extent of the damage and the repair work that will be necessary. Moray Council response teams are also on standby as heavy rain and strong winds are forecast for the next few days. A close eye will be kept on river levels.”

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