Red weather warning lifted but more flooding possible in Scotland

The worst should be over, but residents in the flooded town of Brechin aren't taking any chances. ITV News Scotland Reporter Louise Scott reports


There could be more flooding in parts of Scotland on Saturday evening although a red weather warning meaning a danger to life has now been lifted.

Parts of the Scottish Highlands remain on amber alert until 10pm on Saturday, meaning homes and businesses in the region are still considered at risk of flooding.

A yellow weather warning also remains in place for much of Perth and Kinross, Dundee, Angus and Aberdeenshire until midnight as localised flooding continues to cause problems for drivers.

The revisions come after the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room met to discuss the “exceptional” levels of rain that had fallen in parts of Scotland during the weekend.

The aftermath of Babet continues to pose a "risk to life", the Met Office warned.

Authorities say they are keeping an eye on several large rivers, which are expected to hit a second peak.

“Severe river flooding impacts are probable in parts of the East Midlands and South Yorkshire today and into Sunday," Katharine Smith, from the Environment Agency, said.

She continued: “Severe river flooding impacts are occurring on the River Derwent in Derby, where we have issued severe flood warnings, and significant impacts are also possible elsewhere across the Midlands and parts of northern England today.

“Ongoing flooding is probable on some larger rivers including the Severn, Ouse and Trent through to Tuesday.”

Flood water in Brechin, Scotland, as Storm Babet batters the country. Credit: PA

River levels will rise as water moves through river catchments, the Environment Agency explained.

It issued three severe flood warnings around the River Derwent in Derbyshire, meaning deep and fast flowing water carries a significant risk of death or serious injury, and serious disruption.

More than 360 flood warnings – where less dangerous flooding is expected – are in place around England.

Train operators London North Eastern Railway (LNER), Avanti West Coast and Northern Rail have advised customers not to travel on Saturday.

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) warned a second major river in Aberdeenshire, the Don, could breach on Saturday.

Hundreds of people had to leave flooded homes after the River South Esk in Brechin, Angus burst its banks on Friday.

The Met Office has issued a second red "danger to life" warning in both areas.

The council warned on Saturday morning that Brechin, and other parts of Angus, “are now only accessible via boat”.

Waves crash against South Shields lighthouse after the top was ripped off by Storm Babet Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA

Scotland and northern parts of the country bore the brunt of the storm, as three people have died and hundreds were forced out of their homes.

Police Scotland previously said a falling tree hit a van near Forfar in Angus on Thursday evening, killing the 56-year-old driver.

A 57-year-old woman also died on Thursday after being swept into a river in the region.

And a man in his 60s died after getting caught in fast-flowing flood water in the town of Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire, police confirmed on Friday.

Searches continue for a man missing in Aberdeenshire said to have been trapped in a vehicle in floodwater.

Heavy winds also forced a passenger plane to skid off a runway in Leeds Bradford Airport. All of Saturday morning's flights have been cancelled.

Simon O’Brien used his homemade boat, which he built for his grandchildren, to rescue residents from their home in Debenham, Suffolk. Credit: PA

The rural village of Debenham, in Suffolk - where a major incident was declared - was cut off by flooding on Friday. Tractors were used to rescue people caught in the flood water.

Around 50 people were sheltering in the local leisure centre there and sleeping on crash mats, staff said.

In one case, local man Simon O’Brien used a homemade paddle boat which he built for his grandchildren to rescue elderly residents trapped in their homes by flood water.

Elsewhere fire services in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire shared pictures on X of vehicles semi-submerged in water after drivers were rescued.


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