Council advises people to prepare following Met Office warning

The Met Office has issued a warning for potential power outages and flash flooding affecting the Highlands over the next few days so the message from Highland Council is “be prepared”.

The Met Office yellow warning for rain and thunderstorms covers the whole Highlands and is in place from today until Thursday 29 July. 

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2021-07-27

Gullies in areas prone to flooding have been serviced and inspected and over the last few days Council staff have been undertaking additional gully cleaning ahead of the weather warning, including in Muir of Ord and Dingwall where a gully emptying machine will be stationed.

Staff are closely monitoring the situation. They are prepared to respond to any impact with the deployment of sandbags and floodgates to vulnerable properties, but are advising all householders and businesses to remain vigilant and to be aware of the warning, their own property responsibilities, and to take any actions they can to prepare.

The Executive Chief Officer for Environment and Infrastructure Malcolm MacLeod said: “Heavy showers are expected to develop across the whole Highlands on Tuesday afternoon and evening and these downpours are likely to cause disruption due to flooding from surface water and small watercourses. The Met Office warning also highlights a further spell of very wet weather is likely on Wednesday which may lead to flooding from larger rivers.

“Our teams are closely monitoring the forecast and all warnings issued and are as prepared as they can be. If there are any impacts, staff are ready to help those most at risk, including vulnerable members of the community but we need householders and businesses to remain alert and ready to take actions which can help protect themselves and their property.”

Advice and further information on flooding is available through the SEPA Floodline on 0345 9881188. www.sepa.org.uk

People can contact the Council to report incidents of flooding by calling 01349 886601 or using the on-line reporting tool at www.highland.gov.uk .

Links to further sources of advice and information are provided below

Sources of advice and information:

• Useful numbers in the event of an emergency
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)  (external link)
• Current flood warnings across the Highlands (external link)
• Scottish Flood Forum -  (external link)Flooding fact sheets (external link)
• FloodRe - Leaflet (external link)
• Emergency Kit and Household Plan - Leaflet
• Managing Flood Risks in the Highlands [PDF booklet]