WIREDGOV

Public urged to remain vigilant, as recovery continues.

People have been urged to remain vigilant over the comings days as wet, windy and milder conditions will increase the risk of flooding and disruption in several parts of the country.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) yesterday (Sunday 11 January) issued a series of flood alerts and warnings, including a flood warning for properties in Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway.

Met Office yellow weather warnings for wind and rain remain in force across the country into tomorrow morning.

A meeting of the Scottish Government Resilience Room was yesterday chaired by Ministers for the seventh consecutive day, as agencies continue to co-ordinate their efforts to respond to challenging weather conditions and restore normal services in the coming days. It heard that all schools in the Highland Council area are expected to open as normal tomorrow, with Aberdeenshire Council due to provide an update on school reopening this afternoon.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance yesterday said:

"As wintry conditions ease across the country, we are urging the public to remain vigilant. Rising temperatures and heavy rainfall, combined with melting snow, bring a significant risk of flooding in several areas. This could affect properties and transport routes, with difficult driving conditions expected in many parts of the country at the start of the working week.

"Ministers have now met in the Scottish Government Resilience Room for seven consecutive days, bringing together partners including SEPA, the Met Office, Police Scotland and local responders to ensure our response is coordinated. Agencies are working around the clock to support communities as the conditions change.

"I would encourage everyone to keep a close eye on weather forecasts, flood alerts and travel advice for their area over the coming days. Please follow the updates from key agencies including the Met Office, SEPA and Police Scotland."

David Morgan, SEPA Flood Duty Manager, yesterday said:

"Continuing heavy rain, combined with melting snow, increases the risk of flooding. Flood risk is greatest in Dumfries and Galloway, and the west and north of Scotland. Possible impacts could include flooding affecting parts of communities, low lying land, transport infrastructure and individual properties. Driving conditions will be very difficult at times.”

Matthew Lehnert, Met Office Chief Meteorologist, yesterday said:

“We’ll see a transition in our weather across the UK through Sunday, with mild Atlantic air moving in from the west. Temperatures will rise and we’ll see rain rather than snow accompanying some strong gusty winds in the north. Warnings have been issued for heavy and persistent rain, as well as these strong winds overnight in western and northern Scotland.

“While the wintry weather may have come to an end, the significant snow accumulations in parts of Scotland mixed with heavy rainfall and an increase in temperatures bring a risk of flooding in some areas as the snow melts. Keep up to date with the flood warnings issued by SEPA and check your flood risk.”

Background

Yesterday’s meeting of the Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGORR) was chaired by First Minister John Swinney and Justice Secretary Angela Constance.

SGORR was activated in response to the current weather event on Friday 2 January and the first ministerial-led SGORR meeting took place on Monday 5 January, since when it has met every day.

For more information:

• Met Office weather warnings are available on the Met Office website.
• Keep up to date on the latest information by checking the Live Flooding Information page on SEPA's website.
• Advice on preparing for severe weather can be found on the Ready Scotland website.
• Follow Traffic Scotland for the most up-to-date information on the trunk roads throughout the warning periods, via their website, social media channels and radio broadcasts. Updates on ScotRail services and road conditions are available online.
• To report a power cut or damage to electricity power lines or substations call the SP Networks national freephone number 105. More information on what to do during a storm can also be found on SP Energy Website.