Tag: Storm Isha

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

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.  

Storm Isha: Motorists warned to plan ahead of weekend storms

Storm warning for motorists

As weather forecasters say we could be in for a week of thunderstorms, motorists are being warned to check their insurance policies before venturing out into the elements.

Storm Isha is due to hit the UK with strong winds and heavy rain, with gusts of up to 80mph in some areas. 

Quotezone.co.uk, a leading car insurance comparison website, says any damage to cars caused by driving through flash floods might not be covered by insurance policies.

It warns motorists to carefully check their policy exclusions, and even if routes are partially blocked, drivers should think twice before using waterlogged roads.

If drivers find themselves stuck in the car during a thunderstorm, official advice from the Met Office is to wind up the window and stay inside the vehicle – the metal frame of the car should act as a conductive Faraday cage, passing the current around the passengers and into the ground, should it be struck by lightning.

If motorists have an open or soft top vehicle, they are best to avoid driving if they know thunderstorms are coming.

Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, comments: “Motorists who have taken out third party only or third-party, fire and theft insurance wouldn’t be covered for any storm damage to their vehicles – only fully-comprehensive policyholders are likely to be protected in those cases.

“If a storm is predicted look at official flood warnings, avoid roads that are likely to flood and allow more time for your journey, note you may have to pull over and wait it out if the downpour starts to affect your visibility – not forgetting to put on the hazard lights.

“Unfortunately, if motorists do decide to drive through waterlogged roads, there’s a very real risk that they won’t be covered for any resulting water damage to the car – even fully-comprehensive drivers.”

Greg also warns motorists that have to go out, to make sure their cars are roadworthy before setting off, which includes checking tyre tread and windscreen wipers.

Quotezone.co.uk compares prices across all types of car insurance, including breakdown cover,  and niche products such as motor trade insurance – helping around 3 million users every year find better deals on their insurance. 

Police Travel Advice issued in advance of Storm Isha

The Met Office has issued an Amber weather warning for wind. As such, there may be a high risk of disruption for road users in the following areas:

Central, Tayside and Fife

  • Clackmannanshire
  • Falkirk
  • Fife
  • Stirling

South West Scotland, Lothian Borders

  • Dumfries and Galloway
  • East Lothian
  • Midlothian Council
  • Scottish Borders
  • West Lothian

Strathclyde

  • Argyll and Bute
  • East Ayrshire
  • East Dunbartonshire
  • East Renfrewshire
  • Glasgow
  • Inverclyde
  • North Ayrshire
  • North Lanarkshire
  • Renfrewshire
  • South Ayrshire
  • South Lanarkshire
  • West Dunbartonshire

The Amber warning is effective from 1800 hrs Sunday 21st January to 0900 hrs Monday 22nd January.

The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for rain. Combined with the win there may be a high risk of disruption for road users in the following areas

Central, Tayside & Fife

  • Angus
  • Clackmannanshire
  • Dundee
  • Fife
  • Stirling

Perth and Kinross

  • Grampian
  • Aberdeenshire
  • Moray

Highlands & Eilean Siar

  • Highland

South West Scotland, Lothian Borders

  • Dumfries and Galloway
  • Scottish Borders
  • Strathclyde
  • Argyll and Bute
  • East Ayrshire
  • East Dunbartonshire
  • Inverclyde
  • North Lanarkshire
  • Renfrewshire
  • South Lanarkshire
  • West Dunbartonshire

The yellow warning is effective from 1200 hrs Sunday 21st January to 0600 hrs Monday 22nd January.

General advice for road users:

  • Plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel
  • All road users should consider if they really need to travel during adverse weather
  • Consider delaying travel until conditions improve
  • If you are travelling on the roads, prepare yourself and your vehicle for the conditions
  • Ensure your mobile phone is charged and plan your journey, including an alternative route
  • Have sufficient fuel, warm clothing, food and water in case you’re delayed
  • Do not ignore road closure signs – they are for your safety
  • Congestion caused by vehicles may restrict emergency services and recovery vehicles from providing essential assistance
  • Listen to media broadcasts, including radio, for updates Traffic Scotland radio player | Traffic Scotland or visit Traffic Scotland | Trunk road traffic updates & route planner
  • Follow your local authority for the latest updates in your area via Facebook, Twitter or their website
  • Other information can be found on the Met Office, Ready Scot.  For public transport information visit www.travelinescotland.
  • Follow @policescotland and @trafficscotland on Twitter 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.

Rain:

Drive to the conditions. Spray can reduce driver visibility.

Be aware of increased stopping distances. In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.

Driving through areas of flooding can result in catastrophic damage to your vehicle. It may also result in the road becoming blocked with recovery required and may delay emergency services and road maintenance workers.