The First Minister has urged people to follow Police Scotland advice not to travel today (Friday 24 January).
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR) has been activated ahead of the red weather warning for wind from 1000 until 1700 today, covering parts of Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders, all of Strathclyde and the Lothians & Borders, as well as the Forth Valley and southern parts of Fife.
A wider amber warning for high winds covers much of Scotland and a yellow warning for snow in parts of Scotland has also been issued.
Storm Éowyn will bring dangerous conditions and disruption throughout the country, including danger to life from flying debris, large waves and structural damage, such as roofs blown off and power lines brought down.
Transport routes and travel services are expected to be affected for a prolonged period and while for individual local authorities to decide, a majority of schools are expected to be closed. NHS boards are standing up local business continuity arrangements. This will include communications with patients and staff. Some NHS and social care services are expected to be disrupted.
SGoRR met this afternoon to assess measures in place. It was chaired by First Minister John Swinney and attended by the Deputy First Minister, and Cabinet Secretaries for Health; Education; Transport; Finance and Local Government; Rural Affairs and Islands; and Net Zero and Energy. They were joined by representatives from the Met Office, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, SEPA, transport and utilities companies and resilience partners.
A rare red weather warning has been issued by @MetOffice for Friday. @PoliceScotland is urging people not to travel in affected areas.#StormÉowyn is expected to cause danger to life and significant disruption.
First Minister John Swinney said: “The Met Office has, this morning, issued a very rare red weather warning for Storm Éowyn tomorrow. Their advice is clear that potential impacts include danger to life, structural damage to property, and transport and power disruptions.
“Police Scotland have made it clear that people should not travel in affected areas, and local services including schools are likely to be significantly impacted.
“The government, of course, is ready to respond. SGORR – our resilience and emergency system – was activated this morning to co-ordinate help and to support Scotland’s front-line responders, including police fire services and the ambulance service.
“Red weather warnings like this are very rare. Our message is simple, please follow the advice from the Met Office and the police.
“Please look out for each other and your neighbours during this time. Take this seriously and stay safe.”
Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan Head of Police Scotland Road Policing said: “Our advice throughout the duration of the red weather warning is not to travel, as the conditions outside and on the road network could be extremely hazardous and put you at risk.
“Please keep tuning into media broadcasts and following updates from Traffic Scotland and Police Scotland until the weather has improved.”
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “We reserve the issuing of Red Warnings for the most severe weather which represents a likely danger to life and severe disruption, and that is the case with Storm Éowyn.
“While it will be widely very windy on Friday, with additional hazards from rain and snow, the strongest winds and most significant impacts are likely in Northern Ireland and central and southwestern parts of Scotland within the Red Warning areas, where winds could gust 80-90 mph quite widely for a time, and potentially up to 100 mph for exposed coasts in particular.
“Storm Éowyn is a multi-hazard event, with snow likely for some, rain for many and strong winds for much of the UK. As a result, a number of weather warnings have been issued, with all parts of the UK covered by one warning at some point on Friday.”
Amber Warning for wind for northern half of Scotland from 13:00 Friday to 06:00 Saturday.
Flood alerts are issued by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and can be viewed on their 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.
Travel and safety advice has been issued following a Met Office Amber weather warning for high winds associated with Storm Darragh today (Saturday, 7th December 2024) between 1am and 9pm.
All road users should consider if they really need to travel during the adverse weather or if travel can be delayed until conditions improve.
The Scottish areas affected by the Amber warning are:
Dumfries and Galloway
South Ayrshire
Please visit the Met Office website for more detailed information about the weather warning. Yellow warnings for wind and rain are also in place for parts of Scotland.
Please also be aware of weather warnings in place for other parts of the UK, including a Red weather warning for high winds across parts of Wales and avoid unnecessary travel to areas affected.
Motorists are advised there is a high risk of disruption in the areas affected by the warning and there may be significant delays. Conditions may be hazardous due to the high winds and extra caution should be exercised.
Travellers with bookings on ferries should check with operators for updates on crossings.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1865037333533180020
Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, head of Road Policing, said: “Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas, or consider delaying your journey until conditions improve.
“Plan ahead and keep updated by checking the Met Office and Traffic Scotland websites and social media.”
Follow @policescotland and @trafficscotland on X for up-to-date travel information.
Wind
HGV and bus drivers should drive with extreme caution and be aware you may be asked to park at a suitable position by the police.
Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.
Cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians should consider the risk of being blown over or into the path of other road users.
SEPA: Flooding expected as Storm Darragh arrives
Regional Flood Alerts are in place as Storm Darragh is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to much of Scotland on Friday and Saturday.
Localised flooding from surface water and high river levels is possible across parts of southern, central and north-eastern Scotland. This could lead to impacts such as disruption to travel and flooding of low-lying land, roads and isolated properties.
The Met Office also has warnings in place for potentially damaging winds associated with Storm Darragh. High winds may cause dangerous conditions in coastal areas due to wave overtopping and sea spray.
David Morgan, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said: “The arrival of Storm Darragh is expected to cause disruption across Scotland today and tomorrow. There’s a risk of surface water and river flooding in central, southern and north-eastern areas due to persistent, and at times heavy, rainfall.
“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. Take care when travelling and plan your journey in advance as impacts may include roads being flooded and disruption to the rail network.
“We have issued Flood Alerts and continue to work with the Met Office to monitor the situation 24/7. Regional Alerts and local Flood Warnings will be reviewed throughout the weekend and updated as necessary.
“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 view the three-day Scottish Flood Forecast to see what conditions are expected further ahead.”
Regional Flood Alerts and local Flood Warnings are in place as #StormDarragh brings heavy rainfall to much of Scotland today and tomorrow.
Check the Scottish Flood Forecast: Combining the Met Office’s cutting-edge weather forecasts with SEPA’s data and expertise, the Scottish Flood Forecast provides a clear, three-day outlook that shows when and where flooding is expected, whether from rivers, surface water, or the sea in Scotland. It can also reassure you if flooding is not expected.
Sign Up to Floodline for text, phone call, or email messages for the area where you live or work, allowing you to take action and prepare when flooding is expected.
Follow SEPA on social media: SEPA provide information on predicted flooding in advance through the dedicated @SEPAFlood account on X and its Facebook page.
Visit SEPA’s flooding pages today to access these tools and find out more about how to prepare for and be aware of potential flooding.
Stay safe
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.
Consider deploying flooding protection products if required.
What’s the difference between a flood alert and a flood warning?
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 to measure the exact water height. They are issued at shorter notice when we are more certain that a specific area will be affected.
Motorists are being urged to take extra safety precautions before heading out on the road in heavy rainfall, strong winds, and snowfall.
Motoring experts at Quotezone.co.uk are urging drivers to ensure their cars are roadworthy in all weather conditions and have researched tips for protecting vehicles during storm season.
With storm warnings announced across the country, Brits are being urged to avoid getting behind the wheel, but for those who need to head out on necessary journeys, it’s crucial to take extra precautions to stay safe on the roads.
A survey revealed a third of drivers admit to not slowing down in wet weather and nearly one in three have driven over the speed limit despite these dangerous conditions.
According to The Highway Code, in wet weather the stopping distances are at least double those required on dry roads because water reduces the grip the tyres have on the road.
This means the distance between cars, which the Highway Code recommends as two seconds in dry conditions, should also be doubled, or even tripled in wet conditions.
This should allow drivers sufficient time to react and come to a full stop if needed without hitting the car in front of them.
If a road is flooded, drivers should turn around and find an alternative route as driving through flood water can lead to loss of control and serious damage to vehicles – which car insurance is unlikely to cover.
Motorists should also be mindful of strong winds and keep a strong grip on the steering wheel at all times to prevent being swayed off course, especially when driving past gaps in trees or buildings where they’re more likely to be exposed to side winds.
It’s also important to ensure vehicles are roadworthy and are able to handle heavy rain and strong winds.
Essential checks include ensuring the tyres have adequate tread depth and are properly inflated, windscreen wipers are fully clearing the screen, brake pads and batteries are fully operational and the correct lights are on and working properly.
It’s illegal not to turn your lights on in bad weather when visibility is poor and drivers could face a 12-month ban and £1000 fine. It’s also important to know which light should be used when the weather starts to deteriorate.
Know Your Lights in bad weather:
Headlights – when visibility is reduced
Daytime running lights – activate rear set of lights in poor visibility
Dipped headlights – in dull daytime weather or heavy rain
Fog lights – in foggy conditions so drivers can spot you at a distance
Automatic lights – if these come as standard in your vehicle, double check they are activated in bad weather, as they may not come on automatically in certain conditions such as fog
Greg Wilson, car insurance expert and CEO ofQuotezone.co.uk said: “With heavy rainfall and strong winds expected across the country, we’re urging drivers to take a proactive approach to safety.
“Before getting behind the wheel it’s crucial to carry out a few checks to ensure your vehicle is in top condition. Checking tyre pressure, tread depth, lights, and wipers can make a significant difference in how your car handles adverse weather.
“Many motorists underestimate the impact of weather on driving conditions and failing to adapt your driving style to the conditions can have serious consequences.
“It’s important to reduce speed, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and be vigilant for potential hazards like flooding and debris.
“Drivers should also check what type of insurance they have – while most comprehensive car insurance policies cover storm damage, motorists who have taken out third-party only or third-party, fire and theft insurance won’t normally be covered.
“Also, drivers who actively drive through flood water are likely to invalidate their insurance and lose protection for any damage – given it was an avoidable situation, and the driver has a duty to safeguard the vehicle.”
Before setting off in stormy conditions, it’s essential to ensure your vehicle is fully prepared for the journey. The essential checks include ensuring the tyre tread depth meets the legal requirements and that the tyres are properly inflated to provide maximum traction on wet roads. It’s also important to make sure that all lights and wipers are functioning correctly, as visibility can be drastically reduced in heavy rain.
Reduce speed
Drivers need to reduce speed to improve vehicle control and allow themselves time to react in unexpected situations such as sudden stops or fallen trees on the road. This is because the stopping distances double on wet roads due to the reduced grip that tyres have on the water.
Increase distances
It’s important to leave a larger gap between your vehicle and the one in front to give yourself ample time to react in case the car ahead stops suddenly. Aim for at least a four-second gap in wet conditions, and consider increasing it further during heavy rain or when visibility is limited.
Don’t drive through a flood
Flooded roads pose significant risks, including the possibility of losing control, stalling or damaging the engine. Even shallow water can conceal hazards like deep potholes or debris. Also, most car insurance policies won’t cover you for damage if you drive through flooded water.
Keep a strong grip on the steering wheel
Strong winds can make it difficult to maintain control of your vehicle, especially when driving through open areas where you’re more exposed to side winds. A firm grip on the steering wheel helps you react quickly to unexpected gusts of wind.
Beware of aquaplaning
Aquaplaning occurs when water builds up between the tyres and the road, causing the vehicle to lose traction and making it difficult to steer and brake. If you feel the steering becomes lighter or the car begins to slide, ease off the accelerator, don’t brake and allow your car to slow down naturally.
Use the right light
In heavy rain or poor visibility, it’s important to double check your lights are on, dipped headlights allow other drivers to see you more easily. They’ll be seen from a much greater distance than sidelights and they won’t dazzle other drivers or pedestrians.
Quotezone helps millions of drivers right across the UK find essential savings and better insurance across a whole range of products such as car, van and motorbike insurance.
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.
“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 Edinburghduring 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
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.
High winds, heavy rain and snow melt on Thursday, 5 January, into Friday, 6 January, are likely to cause localised disruption due to coastal wave overtopping, surface water and river flooding.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scotland’s flood forecasting and warning authority, is urging people to keep updated, be mindful of potential disruption, and plan ahead for any travel.
In coastal areas, windy conditions particularly around high tides could also lead to spray and overtopping. Localised Flood Warnings have been issued for parts of Orkney and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, where large waves and strong winds could create impacts such as flooding of causeways, promenades, and roads.
Rainfall, combined with melting snow, is likely to see minor river and surface water flooding, across much of Scotland. Regional Flood Alerts are in place and, whilst peak river levels are expected to be well below those experienced last week, given the saturated nature of the ground, minor disruption is likely on some transport routes with isolated property flooding in places.
SEPA continues to monitor the situation and will issue further flood messages as required. People are encouraged to sign up to the Floodline service to receive updates for where they live, or where they’re travelling through, directly to their phone. People can also check Flood Updates – SEPA Floodline for all the latest updates.
Staying informed
Check the latest information on SEPA’s regional Flood Alerts and local Flood Warnings at sepa.org.uk/floodupdates.
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.
Consider deploying flooding protection products if required.
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.
An AMBER warning for high wind has been issued for eastern Scotland.
The warning is in place from 7am to 3pm today (Saturday January 28, 2022).
If you are driving a vehicle which may be vulnerable to being blown over in such conditions along exposed routes including bridges, please exercise additional caution and plan your route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.
For further information about how the weather is expected to affect your area and for advice on how to stay safe, please visit the Met Office website:
A yellow weather warning for high winds remains in place this morning as the tail end of Storm Dennis passes through. Thirteen flood warnings are currently in place across Scotland, but none of these affect the Edinburgh area.
Commuters are being urged to take care when travelling in heavy rain, wind and thunderstorms.
The latest FLOOD ALERT for Edinburgh and Lothians was issued yesterday and remains in place: ‘While river levels are now receding, they are expected to remain high during Sunday.
‘There may be ongoing localised flooding, primarily of land and roads, with local disruption to travel and difficult driving conditions possible. Remain vigilant and remember, it is your responsibility to take actions which help protect yourself and your property.
‘Advice and information is also available through Floodline on 0345 9881188.
‘This FLOOD ALERT UPDATE is now in force until further notice. If you haven’t already signed up to receive free flood messages, please call Floodline or register online at sepa.org.uk/floodingsignup. Your Floodline quick dial number for this area is 23200.’
Driving in storms, rain and strong wind
Choices and planning ahead
Even moderate rain can reduce your ability to see and be seen. A good rule of thumb is ‘if it’s time for your wipers, it’s time to slow down’.
If heavy downpours are expected, avoid starting your journey until it clears.
If you can, choose main roads, where you are less likely to be exposed to fallen branches and debris and flooding.
Use dipped headlights if visibility is seriously reduced.
Gusts of wind can unsettle vehicles – grip your steering wheel firmly with both hands. This is particularly important when planning to overtake.
Keep an eye out for gaps between trees, buildings or bridges over a river or railway – these are some of the places you are more likely to be exposed to side winds. Ensure that you maintain enough room either side of your vehicle so you can account for it being blown sideways.
Roads will be more slippery than usual in wet weather – be sure to give yourself more time to react when approaching a hazard. Increase your following gap to at least four seconds from the moving traffic in front.
Keep your eyes peeled on the road at all times as spray from other vehicles can suddenly reduce your visibility. Remember it affects others too, so anticipate their actions and be prepared.
What to do when the road is flooded
If the road is flooded, turn around and find another route. The number one cause of death during flooding is driving through flood water, so the safest advice is turn around, don’t drown.
Although the water may seem shallow, just 12 inches (30cm) of moving water can float your car, potentially taking it to deeper water from which you may need rescuing.
Flood water also contains hidden hazards which can damage your car, and just an egg-cupful of water sucked into your car’s engine will lead to severe damage.
Never drive through flood water. Turn around.
Keep an eye out for cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians
Remember to give vulnerable road users including cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians more room than usual. They are more likely to be blown around by side winds – always keep a safe distance.
MORE than 30 specialist water rescue firefighters were deployed throughout the Scottish Borders in response to severe flooding over the weekend.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service mobilised five water rescue units to the area, and they have been responding alongside partners to protect members of the public.
Crews carried out 15 water rescues at locations across Scotland including Perth, Linlithgow, Newcastleton and cross-border responses, and Operations Control have handled more than 60 flooding related incidents.
SFRS crews have also been working throughout the day to assist in the safe evacuation of residents in Hawick to safety, following Severe Flood Warnings indicating risk to life.
Heavy rains brought in by Storm Dennis have caused the River Teviot to reach its highest levels since 2015.
Assistant Chief Officer Paul Stewart said: “Crews have been working alongside our partners in extremely challenging conditions to ensure the safety of all residents in affected areas.
“We have been able to call upon specialist resources from across the East and West of Scotland, with more than 30 specialist water rescue firefighters mobilised to the area in response to the heightened flood risk.
“As such, we have been working very closely with partners and lead agencies throughout today to provide assistance where required and our resources remain available to protect Scotland’s communities.”
ACO Stewart added: “My thanks must go to our dedicated crews on the ground and our Operations Control staff, who have been working extremely hard across Scotland in response to severe weather related incidents in addition to normal 999 emergencies, as well as our partners and the resilient communities in the area.”
Windy and feeling bitterly cold. Showers of rain, sleet, snow.
Today:
Frequent showers of rain, sleet, snow, carried on strong to gale westerly winds, making for a bitterly cold day. Snow accumulating away from lowest levels, with drifting adding to potentially hazardous travel conditions, also wet snow sporadically reaching sea level. Maximum temperature 4 °C.
Tonight:
More of the same with wintry showers and strong to gale westerly winds. However showers tending to ease a touch from the south towards dawn. Minimum temperature -1 °C.
The Botanic Gardens are currently closed due to the high winds, although The Gateway remains open and this evening’s Adult Education Open Night goes ahead as planned.
I can vouch for the power of those winds – I’ve just seen my blue recycling box flying past the window and off down the road!
Most of the Country has been battered overnight and all day with high winds and this has lead to various bridges and roads being closed causing traffic chaos across the Country.
Winds were recorded at over 90mph by the Forth Road Bridge Authority and the Bridge is expected to be closed for most of today, trains were cancelled today from Edinburgh and many road have been blocked by falling trees.
Here are some images that we have taken from today.
Readings of 90MPH plus winds by the Forth Road bridge (Source: L&B police)
Boots at Craigleith didn't open today. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
Currys at Craigleith lost a door following the storm. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
A fence was blown away in Crewe. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
The garden centre at Homebase had windows blown in. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
A trampoline appeared at the Drylaw shopping centre. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
A tree blocks a road in Pilton. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
A trolley park at Sainsburys was blown down in the wind. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
Various trolley parks were damaged at Craigleith Retail Park. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
Have you got any photos you would like to share with us? If so email them to northedinnews@gmail.com.
