Storm Babet flood warning for Highlands sparks plea to be prepared
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Brace for flooding when Storm Babet hits the Highlands later this week, residents have been warned.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issued the alert and urged Highlands to prepare for possible disruption after Met Office forecasters upgraded the number of weather warnings for the region on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Up to 200mm of rain is being predicted in the very worst affected areas, and up to 70mm elsewhere in parts of the Highlands covered by warnings.
Sepa is also warning of the cumulative impact of the flooding, with many of the areas still recovering from torrential rain earlier this month, also likely to be among the worst hit this time out.
It stressed the importance of keeping up to date by following weather information from the Met Office and flooding advice from Sepa, as areas may change as the forecast becomes clearer.
David Morgan, flood duty manager for Sepa, said: “Storm Babet will bring heavy rain and high winds across Scotland from Wednesday evening, starting in the south-west before moving across to the north-east through Thursday and into the weekend.
“Impacts from surface water and rivers are likely, and with catchments saturated from recent heavy rain and flooding, we’re urging people to be prepared for potential flooding. There is also concern that surface water flooding may be exacerbated by debris blocking drainage, culverts, etc. as a result of the high winds.
“Flood Alerts and warnings will be issued as required, and we continue to work with the Met Office to monitor the situation 24/7. People can check our flood updates for all the latest information and the three-day Scottish Flood Forecast to see what conditions are expected further ahead.
“If you live or work in an area that could be affected, consider any steps you need to take now to be prepared and stay safe, and to take extra care if you need to travel.
“If you have not already signed up to Floodline, you can do so now to receive free updates for where you live, or travel through, directly to your phone. Follow Sepa’s social media, especially @SEPAflood on X for the latest information.”
Sepa is also asking people to take a number of steps to keep informed. These are:
- Register for Sepa’s free Floodline message service by calling 0345 988 1188 or by clicking www.floodlinescotland.org.uk
- Check the three day Scottish Flood Forecast
- Latest information on SEPA's regional Flood Alerts and local Flood Warnings is available at www.floodlinescotland.org.uk/floodupdates.
- Find advice on preparing your home and business at Floodline Scotland
Met Office chief meteorologist Steven Keates said: "Heavy and persistent rain will fall onto already saturated ground bringing a risk of flooding. It is important to stay up to date with warnings from your local flood warning agency as well as the local authorities. For Scotland, this rain will be fairly heavy and persistent through much of the second half of the week and into the early part of the weekend.
“As well as heavy rain, Storm Babet will bring some very strong winds and large waves near some eastern coasts too. Gusts in excess of 60mph are possible in eastern and northern Scotland from Thursday. It is likely Met Office warnings will be updated through the week.”
