North-east Scotland is experiencing significant disruption due to extensive flooding, a consequence of persistent heavy rainfall combining with the thaw of recent substantial snowfall. The adverse conditions have prompted numerous flood warnings across the country, affecting infrastructure and public services.
As of Monday morning, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) had issued 19 flood warnings and 12 less severe flood alerts nationwide. These alerts span a wide geographical area, indicating a broad impact across Scotland.
In Aberdeenshire, a region particularly affected by the wintry weather in the preceding week, the A92 was closed in both directions at Portlethen due to flooding. This closure follows a period where virtually all schools in the north-east were shut for the first week of the new term. Aberdeenshire Council had previously declared a “major incident” last week in response to the severe snowfall but announced its conclusion on Sunday evening. Despite this, the council advised vigilance, with some schools and healthcare services in Aberdeenshire reopening on Monday.
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR) convened for the seventh consecutive day on Sunday to coordinate the national response to the challenging weather. Justice Secretary Angela Constance, who hosted the meeting alongside First Minister John Swinney, underscored the ongoing risks.
“As wintry conditions ease across the country, we are urging the public to remain vigilant. Rising temperatures and heavy rainfall, combined with melting snow, bring a significant risk of flooding in several areas.”
Constance further cautioned that these conditions “could affect properties and transport routes, with difficult driving conditions expected in many parts of the country at the start of the working week.” She confirmed that agencies were “working around the clock to support communities as the conditions change.”
SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, David Morgan, reiterated the heightened danger. “Continuing heavy rain, combined with melting snow, increases the risk of flooding,” Morgan commented. The Met Office has maintained a yellow warning for rain, anticipating that heavy rain and snowmelt will likely lead to some flooding.
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Matthew Lehnert, Chief Meteorologist for the Met Office, explained the meteorological factors at play. “While the wintry weather may have come to an end, the significant snow accumulations in parts of Scotland mixed with heavy rainfall and an increase in temperatures bring a risk of flooding in some areas as the snow melts,” Lehnert said. He advised the public to “keep up to date with the flood warnings issued by Sepa and check your flood risk.”
The disruption extends beyond road networks, with widespread road closures and public transport cancellations experienced over the weekend due to snow, wind, rain, and icy conditions.
