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
Thousands without power
More than 27,000 homes in Scotland lost power due to Storm Babet, according to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).
The energy provider said as of 11.30am on Friday it had restored services to almost 24,000 homes and is working to reconnect 4,000 other properties which have been cut off.
Aberdeenshire, Angus and Perthshire are the main areas affected by power cuts.
Andy Smith, SSEN distribution operations director said: “Storm Babet’s severe effects continue to be felt, but our teams are making good progress. Through our automatic switching systems and the work of our teams on the ground, we have reconnected the majority of our customers who lost their supplies, and that effort continues today.
“We have 10 times our usual operational capacity to respond to issues as they occur.
“Our teams are facing hugely challenging circumstances on the ground, and I’d like to thank customers for their patience. I want to reassure them we’re doing everything we can to restore power as quickly as possible, and to limit the number of prolonged outages.
“We encourage anyone who may need additional support to contact our dedicated teams on the 24-hour power cut helpline on 105.”
Scotsman Editor Neil McIntosh: 'Safety is paramount'
Storm Babet has caused devastation in the east of Scotland and disrupted services right across the country. The Scotsman has not been unaffected, as our editor, Neil McIntosh, explains.
Humza Yousaf on 'intesifying' disruption
Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf warned the further red warning issued by the Met Office would “intensify” the disruption caused by torrential rain from Storm Babet.
Mr Yousaf posted on X, formerly Twitter, regarding the “further red weather warning issued by @metoffice for Saturday”.
He told people this would “intensify the disruption already being experienced”.
Mr Yousaf said the Scottish Government would continue to liaise with local organisations and the emergency services.
“People’s safety is our number one priority,” he stressed.
Do not attempt to travel in these areas of Scotland
Network Rail has announced fresh warnings across Saturday, and urged passengers to check ahead. The message is clear. If you are in a RED area, do not attempt to travel
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.
'We've lost everything' - reaction from the ground
Davy Shanks, a BBC reporter from the North East of Scotland, has heard heartbreaking news from local people.
Footage of the flooding
STV have released footage from Brechin showing the extent of the floor waters
Brechin Evacuation
Brechin councillor Jill Scott said: “It’s horrific. It’s just absolutely horrendous. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
She said people had been trapped for hours, warning: “There will be hundreds of houses flooded.”
Angus Council said rescue crews are dealing with around 100 calls in areas of Brechin which had been asked to evacuate.
Fire crews and the Coastguard began evacuating residents on Thursday night – knocking on residents’ doors advising them to leave.
On Thursday afternoon, a woman died after being swept into a river in Angus amid the evacuation of 400 homes in the Scottish region.
Pictured - Stonehaven
Our photographer Lisa Ferguson has been out in the North-East of Scotland
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