Met Office issues ‘danger to life’ flood warning as 10 rescued in huge …
The Met Office[1] has issued another “danger to life” warning for Scotland, as a deluge of rain brings flooding across the UK this weekend.
Two amber rain warnings[2] are in place in Central, Tayside & Fife, Grampian and Highlands & Eilean Siar, lasting until 2pm tomorrow. Much of Strathclyde is also affected until 6am tomorrow by the alert, which comes after 10 drivers were evacuated by a rescue helicopter[3] from the flooded A83.
The heavy downpours could bring fast flowing or deep floodwater, said the Met Office, as well as public transport delays, loss of power and dangerous driving conditions. It added: “Communities could be completely cut off by floodwater, perhaps for several days.”
The forecaster said: “The band of rain across central and western parts of Scotland will move slowly north and east through this evening and overnight, before clearing later Sunday. Rain will become heavy and persistent with some places seeing 40-60mm, and perhaps up to 80mm in one or two spots.
I ordered these Pumpkin Spice dog treats so fast because they always sell out[4]
A number of vehicles were stuck on the A83 and A815 in Argyll and Bute (
Bear Scotland)
“This rain falling onto already saturated ground and into river catchments that are already high will lead to further flooding and transport disruption.” Large parts of central and northern Scotland are also covered by a yellow rain warning.
Earlier today, motorists became trapped between landslides near Inveraray in Argyll and Bute – and police warned people not to travel to the region. Shocking photos showed the water level at Dalmuir in West Dunbartonshire, which was said to be the same height as a train window.
The M9 motorway near Stirling was “barely passable”, with lanes closed due to flooding. Rail services from England were cancelled by Trans Pennines Express, and ScotRail also cancelled trains. The A83 at Butterbridge, Argyll and Bute, was badly impacted, along with Cairndow A83/A815 Dunoon junction.
Amber and yellow rain warnings are in place for much of Scotland (
Met Office)
An inspection was planned for Sunday once bad weather passed, and debris was swept into the road at A86 Roybridge, in the Highlands, east of Spean Bridge. A post on Twitter, from Police Scotland, said: “Drivers should avoid travelling in the Argyll and Bute area due to significant disruption.”
Network Rail Scotland shared a photo of Dalmuir Twin Tunnels. A post said: “As you can see, the water level is massive – it’s up to around the window level on a train. The fixed pumps here have been completely overwhelmed by the extreme rainfall. It’ll take time for this to clear once the rain stops.”
Vincent Fitzsimmons, Sepa’s flood duty manager, said: “I want to be very clear that this is not a normal autumn day for Scotland. We’re expecting extensive river and surface water flooding in affected areas. There is a danger to life.
A spectator under an umbrella as rain delays the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews (
PA)
“There will be widespread impacts to road and rail. There is a risk of more significant community scale property flooding. Many areas will see heavy rain for well over 24 hours before it clears on Sunday. Of particular concern are communities in the amber area that extends from west central Scotland northwards.
“Examples include Aviemore and communities down the Spey Valley, and also Milngavie, Aberfoyle, Callander and Bridge Of Allan.” At 2pm, Sepa issued 17 regional flood alerts and 53 local flood warnings. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were called to reports of multiple landslides on the A83 and A815 on the morning of October 7.
“A number of vehicles were stuck between the landslides. Emergency services, including HM Coastguard, attended and 10 people were airlifted to safety. There were no reports of injuries. The roads remain closed and drivers are urged to avoid travel in the area.”
References
- ^ Met Office (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ warnings (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ 10 drivers were evacuated by a rescue helicopter (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ I ordered these Pumpkin Spice dog treats so fast because they always sell out (www.mirror.co.uk)