Flood warnings issued for Scottish regions

MANY of Scotland’s regions have flood warnings today, as 60mph gusts batter the country.

The MET Office has updated many regions to yellow “be aware” warnings, saying they are at risk of flooding.

Affected regions are the Highlands and Islands, Strathclyde, Grampian, the Lothians and central Scotland over Wednesday and into Thursday.

Tayside has been issued additional warnings for flooded roads, with the MET Office saying: “River levels on Tuesday remain high following heavy overnight rain. Further heavy rain on Wednesday will cause rivers and small watercourses to rise again. Due to the saturated ground and high loch levels there may be flooding to low-lying land and roads, which may cause disruption to travel.”

Some areas of Tayside have been upgraded to a red “Flooding is expected. Immediate action required” warning. These areas include Aberbothrie, Ballinluig to Logierait, Bridge of Ruthven to Leitfie, Caputh to Kinclaven, Carse of Lennoch to Lochlane, Crieff to Innerpeffray, Dalguise, Pitlochry to Ballinluig, The River Isla at Coupar Angus and Kenmore.

A Met Office forecaster reported: “Further rainfall is expected to arrive across much of Scotland and northern England during the early hours of Wednesday.

“The rain will become persistent and heavy at times over high ground before clearing to the south east overnight Wednesday and into early Thursday.

“Some very strong winds are also likely in association with this system with gusts of 60mph possible in places. South-westerly severe gales will develop across the north west of the Scottish mainland and the Western Isles on Wednesday, with winds perhaps touching storm force in exposed areas during the afternoon.”

The gales are expected to last through the afternoon and evening but should ease by the early hours of Thursday.