The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has maintained a series of flood alerts across the country into Tuesday, following a significant period of heavy rainfall from the west.
Widespread Alerts After Sustained Downpours
Eight separate flood alerts are currently active, covering a large portion of Scotland. The affected regions include Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire and Arran, Central Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway, Orkney, the Scottish Borders, Tayside, and West Central Scotland.
This comes after south-west Scotland experienced heavy rain throughout Sunday night, with the downpour continuing well into Monday. The Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning for rain, which was in effect until 9pm on Monday for the south-west and parts of central Scotland.
Ground Saturation Amplifies Risk
The Met Office indicated that Monday's weather could be "a significant event for many". They warned that the impact of the rainfall was likely to be heightened because the ground is already saturated from previous wet weather, increasing the risk of surface water flooding and river overflows.
While Scotland bore the brunt, the wet weather also affected other parts of the UK. Nearly a month's worth of rain was forecast for parts of Wales on Monday. Furthermore, yellow rain warnings were also in force until 3am on Tuesday in sections of south-west and north-west England, as well as central and northern Wales.
Continued Vigilance Advised
With the alerts remaining in place, residents in the affected areas are urged to stay vigilant. The situation serves as a reminder of the disruptive potential of autumn and winter weather systems. Drivers are particularly advised to avoid travelling through flood water, as seen in images from the event, and to check for local travel disruptions.
Authorities continue to monitor river levels and coastal conditions. The public is encouraged to check the latest Sepa flood updates and Met Office forecasts for their local area for the most current information.
