Number of flood warnings hit new record

A RECORD number of flood alerts have been issued this autumn and winter by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa).

A total of 720 flood alerts and flood warnings have been sent since September 1 2023.

It is the highest number since Sepa – the national flood forecasting and warning authority – introduced its Floodline service in March 2011.

The previous record of 714 was set over autumn and winter 2015-16.

Storm Babet ravaged northern Scotland between October 18 and 23 shortly after heavy rain at the start of the month, causing devastation in Brechin, Angus and Aberdeenshire.

In late January, Storms Isha and Jocelyn caused more havoc including road closures and flooded railways.

A Sepa official said the extreme weather “should be a wake-up call of things to come due to climate change here in Scotland”.

Advance notice of flooding is provided using forecast weather information from the Met Office in combination with Sepa’s own rainfall and river level observations and people are advised to use the service due to stormy weather in the past year.

Phone calls and texts notify people to let them know of alerts, warnings or severe warnings.

Sepa recently added six local flood warning areas along the River Carron near Falkirk, where around 1,500 properties are at risk, which were identified in the flood risk management plans.

Pascal Lardet, flood warning unit manager at Sepa, said: “This year, Scotland has witnessed several extreme weather events – two periods of intense and prolonged rainfall between October 6 and 9 and then Storm Babet between October 18 and 23.

“Flooding remains a growing threat to our communities, which is why it is vital that those who aren’t signed up to our free Floodline service should take action now and not wait until the next storm hits.”