Storm Isha: Scotland lashed by high winds

RED WEATHER WARNING ISSUED FOR NORTH EAST SCOTLAND

Storm Isha has brought high winds and heavy rain across Scotland, combining with snow melt and leading to the risk of flooding.

Janine Hensman, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said yesterday: “Snow melt and widespread bands of rain across the country are expected to cause localised flooding.

“Rivers are starting to respond to rainfall so we expect more localised flooding from rivers, sea and surface water.

“It’s likely to disrupt travel and transport, and potential flooding could hamper efforts to respond to wind damage from #StormIsha.

“Stay up to date with local warnings in force now for your area. Our three-day Scottish Flood Forecast shows the conditions that are expected further ahead. Follow Met Office updates for weather impacts.

“The strong winds combined with high tides and large waves may also result in wave overtopping and flooding of causeways, promenades, properties and roads along the southern and western coasts. Take care on exposed coasts.

“We have issued Regional Flood Alerts and Flood Warnings as our rivers respond to the heavy rain and snow earlier in the week. We continue to work with the Met Office to monitor the situation 24/7.

“People living, working and travelling in affected areas are advised to consider any steps they need to take now to be prepared and stay safe, and to take extra care if they need to travel.

“We advise people to sign up to Floodline to receive free updates for where they live, or travel through, directly to their phone. People can also check our flood updates for all the latest information and the three-day Scottish Flood Forecast to see what conditions are expected further ahead.” 

Gusts of 74 miles per hour were recorded in Edinburgh during the night and Police Scotland is advising commuters to avoid all but essential travel:

“Due to the amount of debris caused by #StormIsha, short notice road closures, localised flooding and other issues are expected, in addition to the high winds. As a result, the police advice is to Avoid Travel = travel only if absolutely necessary.”

A Scotland-wide Yellow Warning remains in place until midday today.

Scotrail has suspended all train services until after this morning’s rush hour.

FLOODING

Be Prepared

• Check the Scottish Flood Forecast - developed in partnership with the Met Office, it provides the earliest indication possible of when and where flooding is expected over the next three days, and whether the source is from rivers, surface water or the sea.    
• Sign up to Floodline and receive free flood messages letting you know when the area where you live, work or travel through is at risk of flooding.  
• Create a flood plan which includes knowing how to shut off your gas, water and electricity supplies.  
• Consider installing flood protection at your home.

Stay safe

• Follow the advice of emergency responders.
• Don’t walk through flood water – 15cm of fast flowing water could be enough to knock you off your feet and hazards can be hidden under the water.    
• Drive with care, and do not travel through deep fast flowing water. It only takes 30cm of fast flowing water to move an average family sized car.    
• If you’re walking beside rivers be extra careful of wet footpaths and small watercourses.    
• Stay away from flooded promenades and crashing waves around the coast.
• Consider deploying flooding protection products if required.

Stay informed

• Follow @SEPAFlood on X for the latest flooding information   
• Check the flood alerts and flood warnings for your area
• Check your transport routes and road conditions
• Ready Scotland shares advice on preparing for severe weather.

What’s the difference between a Flood Alert and a Flood Warning? 

• We use forecast weather information provided by the Met Office combined with our own observation of rainfall and river levels and advanced hydrological modelling to provide advance warning of flooding.    
• Regional Flood Alerts are early advice that flooding is possible across a wider geographical area. The purpose of the Alerts is to make people aware of the risk of flooding and be prepared. We normally issue them 12 to 24 hours in advance of the possibility of flooding.    
• Flood Warnings are more locally specific and are issued for areas where we have gauges on rivers to measure the exact river height. They are issued at shorter notice when we are more certain that a specific area will be affected.  

The winds will gradually ease through the day on Monday. Overnight into Tuesday will be a calmer interlude for most, with lighter winds and fewer showers in the north for a time.

This does not last for long, however, as low pressure brings further wet and windy weather from the west on Tuesday morning, spreading eastwards across the UK though the day.