Rivers Dee and Spey burst their banks as ‘danger to life’ flood …
Weather warnings will remain until this afternoon as heavy rain moves eastwards over much of the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire.
The Met Office issued multiple weather warnings,[1] with a month’s rain falling in just 24 hours, causing extensive flooding along the West Coast yesterday.
An amber warning for rain remains in place for most parts of the eastern Highlands into Moray and Aberdeenshire as the weather moves eastwards.
The River Dee has burst its banks with water rising past benches usually located on paths alongside the river near Riverside Drive in Aberdeen.
The banks of the River Dee south of Aberdeen are flooded due to heavy rain. Image: DC Thomson.
In addition the River Spey has also burst its banks sending floodwater into a nearby park in Aberlour.
The Met Office says that heavy rain could lead to “fast flowing or deep floodwater” which could “cause a danger to life”.
Concerns that several rivers across the region under close or have burst their banks causing widespread flooding.
The amber warning is to remain in place until 2pm today.
A separate yellow weather warning is also in place for more of the north and north-east until 3pm today.
Stonehaven has also been affected with the fast flowing Carron Water thundering through the centre of the town.
Amber warning to last until 2pm this afternoon
Yesterday, hundreds of trains were cancelled due to the weather, with this likely to be carried through to today.
ScotRail confirmed some services were unlikely to run and replacement buses would be “extremely limited”.
Carron water rise up as floodwater thunders through Stonehaven. Image: Charlie Gall.
In a social media post, the train operator confirmed that trains between Inverness and the Central Belt, Inverness and Elgin and Aberdeen to Inverurie would not be running.
ScotRail said this was due to the River Spey bursting its banks and flooding the railway line.
To find out more about train services, visit the ScotRail website.[2]
Heavy rain across the north and north-east. Image: Derek Laidler.
Several western roads will remain closed as they are assessed for weather damage.
These include the A828, A85 and the A83 Rest and Be Thankful, where multiple landslips have occurred.
Ten people had to be airlifted to safety due to being stuck by landslips, with no casualties but vehicles were left abandoned on roads.
East coast roads are also now affected by flooding including the A92 Aberdeen to Montrose road near Inverbervie which is just passable according to AA Traffic News.
The B977 Kintore and the Hatton of Kintore has been blocked due to flooding.
To keep updated with road conditions, visit Traffic Scotland.[3]
Other transport, including airports and ferries, appear to be running normally.
However, rural bus services may be cancelled with passengers urged to check.
Vincent Fitzsimons, flood duty manager for the Sepa, said: “It’s been a rough weekend across Scotland, with severe weather causing widespread travel disruption to road and rail networks and impacts in communities from Greenock to Aviemore.
Cars were caught in the fast flowing water. Image: Derek Laidler.
“Our teams have been working around the clock with Scottish Government and the Met Office in the lead into and across this major weather event. We have been issuing alerts and warnings to communities at risk and supporting first responders.
“Today the focus continues to turn to communities across the north, with a particular concern for severe flood impacts to communities along the Spey and Tay rivers. It’s a day to stay alert, not stand down. The risk to life remains.”
Sepa has issued multiple flood warnings:[4]
- Ballater
- Abyone
- Strath Oykel, Caithness
- Strathglass, Highlands
- Moy Bridge, Highlands
- Rothes, River Spey
- Spey Dam to Newtonmore
- Sluggan to Dulnain Bridge
- Newtonmore to Kingussie
- Nairnside, Cawdor
- Kingussie to Kincraig
- Kincraig to Inverdruie
- Grantown to Aberlour
- Spey Viaduct to Spey Bay
- Boat O’Brig to Spey Viaduct
- Aviemore/Dalfaber to Grantown
- Aviemore/Dalfaber (Severe warning)
- Aberlour, Craigellachie and Dandaleith
- Dallas to Doual Bridge
- Lochybridge
- Loch Lochy to Torcastle
- Wester Ross
- Western Isles
West Coast flooded as drivers warned not to travel in the north-west by police.[5]
References
- ^ Met Office issued multiple weather warnings, (www.metoffice.gov.uk)
- ^ visit the ScotRail website. (www.journeycheck.com)
- ^ visit Traffic Scotland. (www.traffic.gov.scot)
- ^ multiple flood warnings: (floodline.sepa.org.uk)
- ^ West Coast flooded as drivers warned not to travel in the north-west by police. (www.pressandjournal.co.uk)