Danger-to-life warning issued as rain and high winds sweep across Scotland

A Danger-to-life weather warning was issued as heavy rain and high winds swept across the country.

The Met Office put out an amber warning of rain in central and southern Scotland, which was due to be valid from midday yesterday until 6am this morning.

It warned that persistent heavy rain on saturated ground would bring further flooding and that fast flowing or deep floodwater was likely, causing danger to life, while homes and businesses were likely to be flooded. In total, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issued 13 flood warnings, mainly in the Tayside area, and 10 flood alerts elsewhere in the country.

The amber warnings covered Central, Tayside, Fife, Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders and South Lanarkshire.

A yellow warning of rain, which is valid until 11am today, covers most of the rest of the country.

The Met Office also put out a yellow warning of wind for much of Scotland. It also warned of gusts of 50-60mph, and of up to 70mph for the Western Isles and the Moray coast, which was due to remain in force until 6pm yesterday.

Many Caledonian Macbrayne ferry services were cancelled due to adverse weather.

And the Tay Road Bridge was closed to double-decker buses because of high winds.

Warning travellers to take care, Transport Secretary Michael

Matheson said: “The Met Office is telling us to expect another period of difficult weather, with heavy rain and strong winds forecast for much of Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

“The current Covid restrictions mean you should only be leaving your home for an essential purpose, so please consider if your journey is absolutely necessary before setting off.”

Mr Matheson added: “If you do need to make an essential journey, be aware the conditions could potentially bring disruption to the trunk road network as well as other modes of transport.”

Police urged people to plan ahead if they have to travel.

Superintendent Simon Bradshaw said: “Government restrictions on only travelling if your journey is essential remain in place and, with an amber warning for rain, please consider whether your journey is essential and if it can be delayed until conditions improve.”