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UK weather: Storm Babet forces evacuations in red alert area of Brechin due to floods

October 19, 2023
UK weather: Storm Babet forces evacuations in red alert area of Brechin due to floods

Residents in the flood risk area of Brechin are to be evacuated as Storm Babet sweeps across Scotland.

A severe flood warning is set to be put in place for the River South Esk area, Angus Council has said.

Those affected are being advised to leave their homes.

The council will be going door to door shortly, with around 360 properties expected to be evacuated.

A rest centre will be set up from 3pm.

It comes as severe weather warnings are in place in parts of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland as Storm Babet hits the UK.

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A workman clears the drains in the village of Edzell in Angus

The downpour has already caused disruption to Scotland’s transport network.

A number of ScotRail and Stagecoach services have been cancelled, and power cuts have been reported across parts of the country.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued 12 flood alerts and eight flood warnings.

A flood defence barrier erected on Church street in the village of Edzell, Scotland
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A flood defence barrier erected in Edzell’s Church street

Brechin is within the Met Office’s red warning area. The worst of the rain is expected between 6pm on Thursday and 12pm on Friday.

The Met Office has said to expect:

  • Danger to life from fast flowing or deep floodwater.
  • Extensive flooding to homes and businesses.
  • Collapsed or damaged buildings or structures.
  • Road closures and bus and train service delays and cancellations.
  • Dangerous driving conditions because of spray and flooded roads.
  • Loss of power and other essential services, such as gas, water and mobile phone service.
  • Communities completely cut off, perhaps for several days.
A red warning for rain is among the warnings in place on Thursday
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Brechin is within the Met Office’s red warning area

Angus Council had already confirmed that schools and early years centres across the region would close at lunchtime. They will remain closed on Friday.

The River South Esk in Brechin
Image:
The River South Esk in Brechin

Road teams across Angus have been actively deploying sandbags to resilience groups around vulnerable areas and buildings.

The council has a “limited supply” of sandbags available for residents.

A maximum of 20 each will be available while stocks last and can be picked up at the council’s roads depots in Brechin, Forfar and Arbroath.