Flood warning as big thaw hits

FOR many of those who spent the last week shovelling snow from their driveways the news that the white stuff is set to melt would normally be welcome.

But the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) yesterday issued a red flood warning as the thaw raised river levels by more than 5ft. According to its website, residents living near Strath Oykel, in Sutherland, were advised to be ready to use sandbags or other measures.

The flood warning was put in place yesterday afternoon and expires at noon today.

Though the alert has been limited to the area along the river, the SEPA website urges anyone living near flood plains in the surrounding areas also to be on their guard. It said: ‘A combination of light rain and milder temperature conditions allow continuing snowmelt to raise river levels.

‘The rain is expected to become heavier on Tuesday morning with further accumulations of between 5 to 10 millimetres [up to 0.39in] over the next 2 hours.

‘Remain vigilant and remember it is your responsibility to take actions which help protect yourself and your property.’

Rain is forecast to cause more problems today and tomorrow, with the Met Office also predicting 65mph winds. A Met Office spokesman said: The snow is going to melt but the North-West can expect heavy rain, hail and thunder on Tuesday.

‘The winds are set to pick up on Wednesday with potential gusts of 65mph.

‘Those will die down a little on Thursday but it will still be blustery.’

South of the Border, homes were evacuated in north Devon on Sunday amid ‘widespread flooding’ after rain.

The Environment Agency issued six flood warnings for south-west England and flood alerts lasting until yesterday as melting ice raised river levels. There were four flood warnings and more than 20 flood alerts in Wales.