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Keith residents to benefit from new SEPA flood warning scheme

EXT01 – B12

More than 38 homes and businesses in Keith will benefit from a new scheme designed to protect vulnerable communities in the Deveron catchment from the threat of flooding.

The £1 million Scottish Government funded scheme will use state-of-the-art technology to measure rainfall and river levels and issue early flood warnings for the Dee, Don, Deveron and North Esk, giving members of the public vital time to prepare and protect themselves and their properties against flooding and limit the damage it can cause. It will be administered by Scotland's flood warning authority, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

When the new flood warning schemes for the north east were originally developed, provision for Keith wasn't included. However, following the largest flood ever recorded on the River Deveron last autumn, which had a devastating impact on the Morayshire town, the Deveron Scheme was extended to provide flood forecasting and early warning for the River Isla.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead, who officially launched the new schemes in Huntly on Tuesday (2 March) said:

"Following severe flooding last year, SEPA included Keith in the North East Flood Warning Scheme and I can confirm that the flood forecasting and warning model for the Deveron scheme has been expanded to include the River Isla.

"In addition, when Floodline Warnings Direct goes live next Spring, SEPA will also be able provide flooding warnings directly to the Keith Kilt School and other properties at risk in the area. This will give members of the public vital time to prepare and protect themselves against flooding, and limit the damage caused.

"Flooding wreaks havoc and distress whenever it strikes and we must do everything we can to protect ourselves from its devastating impact. This ground-breaking scheme is another example of the Scottish Government and SEPA working together to protect at-risk communities."

Michael Cranston of SEPA's Flood Unit said:

"The aim of the flood warning schemes is to prevent loss of life and reduce the economic damage caused by floods. This is achieved through the ability to forecast likely flood conditions and provide interpretation and warnings to those at risk.

"SEPA is further developing its current flood warning provision, and in Spring 2011 we will be launching a new Floodline Warnings Direct service, which will allow members of the public to register to receive direct warnings to their landline or mobile phone. For the people of Keith, this will mean that we will be able to target those 38 properties specifically at risk, including the Kilt School which suffered so much devastation in last year's floods.

"Keith residents at risk from flooding will shortly receive an information pack in the post, and the Floodline trailer will be visiting the catchment area throughout March. "Members of the public are encouraged to visit www.sepa.org.uk/floodlinewarningsdirect to sign up for more information."

Rainfall and river level monitoring across the catchment areas will provide SEPA with improved information on conditions, which will then be used to provide advance warning of flooding to members of the public who can access the information via SEPA's 24 hour Floodline information service on 0845 988 1188and online at www.sepa.org.uk/flooding. This will allow local people crucial extra time to take action to protect themselves and their property.

The early warning system will also be used to alert the police and local authorities to any potential flood threat so they can respond if necessary.

Ends

Notes to editor

• SEPA currently operates over 40 flood warning schemes across Scotland. Once a warning is issued, SEPA alerts local authorities and emergency services, giving them advance warning to take action.
• Floodline is available by telephone – 0845 988 1188 – and online at www.sepa.org.uk/flooding 
• SEPA is launching a new service in spring 2011 called Floodline Warnings Direct. This service will deliver messages free of charge, to registered landlines and mobiles, about flooding in areas covered by our Flood Warning Schemes. The messages will point members of the public, local businesses and our Emergency Responders to Floodline for more detailed information; providing you with crucial time to take action. If you would like to find out more about the new Floodline Warnings Direct service due to go live in spring 2011, please complete the registration form. Your details will be added to our database and we will be in touch with more information over the next few months.