Will Dennis be deadly?

‘Risk to life’ alert as storm set to batter country

‘RISK to life’ warnings for Storm Dennis have been issued with heavy rain set to batter Scotland for the second weekend running.

The threat was raised yesterday from yellow to amber – the second highest alert – ahead of three days of misery which will bring flooding and ‘severe’ travel disruption.

Flooding is ‘likely’ in southern areas, with the ‘be prepared’ warning in force between noon and midnight today.

It is feared heavy rain and melting snow could result in floodwater that poses ‘a risk to life’. Last night, the Scottish Environment

Protection Agency doubled the number of flood alerts to ten, mostly for the West and SouthWest. Dumfries and Galloway Council said it planned to enact emergency procedures.

Delays are likely on roads and the M74 runs through part of the severely affected area, which also includes Lothian and Borders.

Rail travel is already disrupted in the area after the line between

Kilmarnock and Dumfries was blocked by a landslide this week.

The Scottish Government said it was on standby to offer assistance to affected communities.

By tomorrow, all of Scotland will find itself in the grip of the storm, with the strongest winds of up to 70mph expected on exposed hills and coasts over a 35-hour period.

SP Energy Networks, electricity distributor for Central and Southern

Scotland, said it had teams ready to tackle any power cuts.

Ferry operator CalMac said travellers ‘should be prepared for cancellations and delays’.

The Met Office’s chief meteorologist, Steve Willington, said: ‘Following Storm Ciara and further spells of rain this week, the ground is already saturated in places.

‘With Storm Dennis bringing further heavy and persistent rain, there’s a risk of significant impacts from flooding, including damage to property and a danger to life from fast-flowing floodwater.

‘Keep an eye on weather warnings for your area and follow the safety advice from officials.’