Flooding Response - archived report

Staff of The Highland Council have been working around the clock to combat the effects of exceptional flooding which has affected many communities on the east coast of the Highlands, from Dingwall and the Black Isle to Wick.

Members of the Transport Environmental and Community Services were called out at 4 am when heavy rain began to cause flooding and they were joined by colleagues from other Council Services throughout the day as the severity of the conditions became apparent. Staff and machinery were moved into the areas of most need to clear debris from roads and culverts and help alleviate flooding.

A total of 15 people were given assistance at a reception centre established at Dingwall Academy, one of 22 schools in Ross and Cromarty which were closed today.

Another four were received at The Jubilee Hall, Evanton, which was also opened as a reception centre.

A further 18 schools in Sutherland and six in Caithness were closed as a result of the adverse weather and road closures.

The only schools known to be closed tomorrow (Friday) are Castletown Primary, Miller Academy Primary,Thurso and Dingwall Primary.

The Council is advising the public not to make any journey that is not necessary.

Staff at the Council’s Service Centre in Alness were inundated with calls from the public seeking assistance.

A Council spokesman said: “The conditions were exceptional and road closures caused difficulty for many people, including our own staff getting to their workplace. This included our Service Centre staff at Alness, who responded to 700 calls during the day. We can only apologise if some members of the public were not able to receive the level of attention they were seeking.”

A helpline has been set up for the public to use tonight. It is 0800 838 009.

The Highland Council meeting went ahead as scheduled but some business was deferred due to the absence of members who were thwarted in getting to Inverness by road closures.

Due to the adverse weather, the Council deferred consideration of the future education provision at Brae Lochaber as well as a notice of amendment to rescind the decision at the Planning Development Europe and Tourism Committee to approve a planning application for 23 wind turbines at Beinn Rosail, Strath Oykel, Invercassley, Sutherland.

The Council has also agreed to postpone a Special Meeting of the  Planning, Development, Europe and Tourism Committee to be held in the Aros Centre, Viewfield Road, Portree, tomorrow (Friday, 27 October)to determine an application for planning permission for the erection of a wind farm development at Edinbane, Isle of Skye.