Cost of flooding estimated to reach £1.3 billion

The final bill for the flood damage caused by this winter’s storms is likely to reach £1.3 billion, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has said.

The total figure is made up of flooding damage caused by storms Desmond, Eva and Frank during December and over the New Year to homes, businesses and motor vehicles.

Last night the Met Office issued a weather warning for rain and snow across large parts of west central Scotland.

The flood forecasting and river management agency Sepa has issued flood warnings for Caithness and Sutherland, and Aberdeen city and Aberdeenshire today.

Warnings are also in place for Tayside, Ayrshire and the Scottish Borders. It comes after hundreds of people were evacuated in Aberdeenshire after the Rivers Dee, Don and Ythan burst their banks in the early hours of Friday.

Speaking on a recent visit to Inverurie in Aberdeenshire, the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced tht every household, business or charity in Scotland directly affected by flood water will get a grant of £1,500.

She said: “Scotland’s communities have rallied together and shown real strength. I am amazed by the determination and dedication of all of our emergency services.”