Flooding situation - 19 November
EXT01-B12
Rivers are very high with considerable rain falling on saturated
ground across south west Scotland and the Borders and the Scottish
Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) currently has 18 flood
watches, 17 flood warnings and four severe flood warnings in
force.
While rivers in the Edinburgh and the Lothians area are
high, the rain intensity is easing off and we anticipate
water levels peaking later today but remaining high throughout
Friday. The high tide on the Forth at 1600 hrs
is relatively low and is giving no cause for
concern. SEPA will be maintaining a close watching brief as
further rainfall is forecast and we still advise people to
keep informed via Floodline.
In the Borders, continued heavy rainfall has led
to very high levels on rivers like the Ettrick, Teviot and
Yarrow. SEPA has issued Severe Flood Warnings for those waters, and
the River Tweed upstream of Peebles.
In the Dumfries and Galloway region, persistent and heavy
rainfall has affected much of the area throughout the day, the bulk
of it falling over the Nith catchment and eastern half of the
region.
Raingauge totals – last 12hrs
Nith
Meadowfoot = 34.2mm
Craigdarroch = 48mm
Gatelawbridge = 38.2mm
West
Low Creoch = 15mm
East
Braidlie = 45.6mm
A flood warning was issued for the River Nith in Dumfries
earlier today and flooding has occurred in the low-lying areas
around the Whitesands car park. Levels initially peaked
around 2pm, but have started to rise again. Outwith the River
Nith flood warning scheme, the Annan is reported to have burst its
banks near Lockerbie and there are widespread reports of localised
flooding from smaller watercourses throughout the area.
As always we must emphasise the need for people who live, work
or travel through flood risk areas to take responsibility for
themselves and their properties, as there are simple steps they can
take to reduce the impact of flooding.
Live warnings and general flooding advice is available from SEPA
through Floodline 0845 988 1188 and online at www.sepa.org.uk/flooding
ENDS