New flood warnings go live in the north east
Early switch-on due to bad weather
EXT01 – B12
A new £1 million scheme to protect vulnerable communities from
the threat of flooding is being switched on early in light of the
bad weather currently affecting Scotland.
Full-scale live testing of SEPA's North East Flood Warning
System will begin today – four days before its official launch by
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead.
The system uses state-of-the-art technology to measure rainfall
and river levels and issue early flood warnings. Around 2000 homes
and businesses around the rivers Dee, Don, Deveron and North Esk
will benefit from the Scottish Government-funded scheme.
Mr Lochhead said:
"Although there is currently no risk of severe flooding,
it is important to be fully prepared in case things take a turn for
the worse. This scheme was due to go live next week but in light of
the heavy rain and snow affecting Scotland I have asked SEPA to
begin live testing immediately.
"Should the risk of flooding increase in the north east, members
of the public will now have more precious time to prepare and
protect themselves and their properties.
"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."
Richard Brown, SEPA's Head of Hydrology, 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.
"When flooding is forecast in these rivers, local authorities
will be directly alerted by SEPA and flood warning messages placed
on the Floodline system (0845 988 1188 and online at www.sepa.org.co.uk/flooding).
Background
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. This will allow local people crucial extra time to take
action to protect themselves and their property.
The early warning system will be used to alert the police and
local authorities to any potential flood threat so they
can respond if necessary.
The areas that will benefit from the new scheme include several
urban centres such as Aberdeen, Inverurie and Huntly, rural
settlements, large areas of agricultural land and significant
transport links.
Mr Lochhead will officially unveil the new scheme at a SEPA
river monitoring station in Huntly, Aberdeenshire on Tuesday March
2 at 1030.
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
Ends
Notes to editor
For more information contact
- John Booth (Scottish Government): 0131 244 2614 / 07825
861333
- Lee Winsor (SEPA): 01786 457722