Care home residents moved as more heavy rain threatens flooding

By The Press Association4th January 2016News ScotlandAberdeenshire, Care Homes, News Scotland

More heavy rain across the UK could lead to further flooding, communities have been warned.

The Met Office has issued amber ”be prepared” warnings for heavy rain in the Grampian, Central, Tayside and Fife areas of Scotland today, as parts of the country are battered by heavy rain and high winds.

Yellow “be aware” warnings for heavy showers have also been issued for parts of Northern Ireland, Wales, the South West, South East and North East of England for today and tomorrow.

Some areas of Scotland could have 15-25mm (0.6 to one inch) of rain, with as much as 40mm (1.6 inches) over high ground, leading to a continued risk of flooding due to already-saturated ground.

In other parts of the UK, bands of heavy showers today and tomorrow could see up to 40mm (1.6 inches) of rain fall in some localised areas, the forecasters said.

With many rivers still swollen across England, the rain could lead to further flooding in parts of the North East, Devon, Cornwall and Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, mainly around the River Severn, the Environment Agency warned.

The agency has 30 flood warnings and 158 flood alerts in place across England, and has dispatched 40 additional pumps to the north of England to ensure flood water is pumped away as fast as river levels will allow.

Temporary flood barriers are still in place on the River Severn at Shrewsbury and Bewdley.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has more than 35 flood warnings in place, covering Tayside, Angus, Dundee, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. It has also issued four flood alerts, including one for the Scottish Borders.

Parts of north-east Scotland could experience offshore waves of up to nine metres – taller than two double-decker buses – the Met Office said.

The latest forecasts of bad weather come as the country continues to deal with the aftermath of a series of devastating storms and floods over the past month, most recently last week’s Storm Frank.

The Environment Agency, whose chairman Sir Philip Dilley was criticised for holidaying in Barbados as the country was battered by some of the worst storms in decades, said it was continuing to support communities with flood relief work.

Teams are pumping away flood water, repairing damaged defences, clearing blockages in rivers, monitoring water levels and sending out warnings, it said.

Clare Dinnis, flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Our work continues into the New Year as we offer ongoing support to communities that have been affected by these terrible floods and our hearts go out to all those who have suffered the devastating impacts of flooding.

“With more wet weather due this week we are monitoring the situation across the country closely and will issue further flood warnings as required.

“We will continue our ongoing work to repair flood defences, protect communities, and pump away flood water.”

In Scotland, Vincent Fitzsimons, Sepa’s hydrology duty manager, said: “Rivers have been rising since Saturday and flood warnings have been issued. It’s important to note that the rain is less intense but more prolonged than during Storm Frank.

”This means that rivers will rise more slowly but then stay high for much longer – from Sunday through till Tuesday. The peak for most areas will be on Sunday night and Monday morning.”

Mr Fitzsimons said river levels in the North East are of most concern, including those around Kintore, Inverurie, Brechin and Aberdeen, but the agency is also keeping a close eye on communities in the Borders and Caithness.

Abergeldie Castle, close to the Queen’s residence at Balmoral, has been left on the brink of collapse after intense flooding saw the River Dee sweep away 60ft (18m) of land behind the property, leaving it only a few feet from the water.

Police in Tayside have warned that many roads remain closed in the region due to rising water, while road closures are also affecting parts of Angus and Aberdeenshire and police in the Scottish Borders are urging drivers to adhere to their warnings.

Network Rail said trains on the west coast main line will be disrupted for a number of weeks as work to repair the Lamington Viaduct just outside Lockerbie, which was damaged by Storm Frank, continues until the end of January.

Sheltered housing and care home residents in Aboyne on Deeside have been moved as a precaution as the flood threat remains.

Almost 40 people living in Bonty Court have been put up at a local rest centre and residents of Allachburn Care Home have been transferred to alternative accommodation.

Chief Inspector Richard Craig said: “We can confirm that telephone service has now been restored to the majority of properties in Braemar and Crathie, including local access to 999 services.

“We are urging people to obey road closure signs as a number of roads have suffered structural damage. As more rain is expected over the next few days it is likely that already affected roads will need to remain closed for public safety.”

Around 15 routes in the Aberdeenshire region remain closed due to flooding or damage.