Scotland faces a heightened flood threat after a weekend of severe weather, prompting the country's environmental agency to significantly increase its alerts. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has now issued 18 active flood warnings alongside 12 broader flood alerts, covering vast swathes of the nation.
Widespread Warnings and Agency Response
The specific flood warnings are in force for multiple locations, including Dalry and Kilwinning in North Ayrshire, Aberfoyle in Stirling, and Newton Stewart in Dumfries and Galloway. Areas in Tayside and Orkney are also on high alert. This escalation follows persistent heavy rainfall combined with melting snow, which has saturated ground and increased river levels.
David Morgan, Sepa's flood duty manager, emphasised the ongoing risk. "Continuing heavy rain, combined with melting snow, increases the risk of flooding," he stated. "Flood risk is greatest in Dumfries and Galloway, and the west and north of Scotland. Driving conditions will be very difficult at times."
Met Office Forecast and Travel Disruption
The Met Office has supported these concerns with its own yellow weather warnings for wind and rain across much of north-western Scotland. The wind warning was valid until 10am on Monday 12 January, with the rain warning ending at 8am the same day. Chief Meteorologist Matthew Lehnert noted that while wintry conditions had eased, the combination of rain and snowmelt presented a significant flooding hazard.
Transport networks have felt the impact. Over the weekend, road closures and public transport cancellations were widespread due to snow, ice, wind, and rain. A key route, the A83 trunk road, remained under assessment, with a decision on its reopening expected by midday on Monday following a hillside inspection.
Government and Council Action
The Scottish Government's Resilience Room convened for a seventh consecutive day on Sunday to coordinate the response. Justice Secretary Angela Constance, who chaired the meeting with the First Minister, urged the public to stay vigilant. "Rising temperatures and heavy rainfall, combined with melting snow, bring a significant risk of flooding in several areas," she warned.
Local authorities have been actively managing the situation. Aberdeenshire Council, which had declared a major incident due to the preceding snow, stood down the formal designation on Sunday evening after an extensive response involving council staff, waste teams, and 170 farmers and contractors. Chief Executive Jim Savege cautioned that a "heightened state of emergency response" would continue due to the lingering flood risk and further forecast poor weather.
Officials continue to advise residents to monitor forecasts and travel advice from Sepa, the Met Office, and Police Scotland closely.
