The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued a record number of regional Flood Alerts and local Flood Warnings to the public this winter.
A total of 720 messages have been sent since 1st September 2023, the highest number since SEPA introduced its Floodline service in March 2011. The previous record of 714 was set over autumn and winter 2015/16.
Pascal Lardet, Flood Warning Unit Manager at SEPA, said:
“This year, Scotland has witnessed several extreme weather events. In October, two consecutive periods of intense and prolonged rainfall between the 6th and 9th of October and then Storm Babet between the 18th and 23rd of October. These events resulted in severe impacts, with extensive flooding of communities, multiple properties evacuations and impacts on infrastructures, particularly the overtopping of Brechin flood defences.
“Unsettled weather continued from November to February, with a record number of named storms affecting the whole country. The latest stormy period was only last week with significant coastal wave overtopping due to high spring tides combined with a surge, affecting the Solway Firth and the East coast in particular.
“These events should be a wake-up call of things to come due to climate change here in Scotland. Flooding remains a growing threat to our communities, which is why it is vital that those who aren’t signed up to our free Floodline service should take action now and not wait until the next storm hits.
“Receiving our messages allows communities and businesses more time to prepare and act to reduce the risk of damage and disruption. This may involve deploying flood protection products, moving vehicles from at risk areas and changing travel plans.”
