Emergency Services Rescue Three from Vehicles as Heavy Rain Causes Widespread Flooding
Parts of northern Scotland are grappling with significant flooding as persistent heavy rain triggers Met Office weather warnings, leading to emergency rescues and widespread travel disruption. Three individuals required rescue from their vehicles in Aberdeenshire after becoming trapped by rising floodwaters, highlighting the dangerous conditions.
Active Weather Warnings and Flood Alerts
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for rain covering Perth and Kinross, Angus, and Aberdeenshire, remaining in force until 6pm on Thursday. A broader yellow warning extends further north and west, staying active until 11.59pm on Friday. Higher ground may experience sleet and snow, compounding the hazardous situation.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has implemented 27 flood warnings across multiple regions, including Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Dundee, Angus, Orkney, the Scottish Borders, and Tayside. An additional seven less-severe flood alerts have been issued in the same areas, indicating widespread hydrological risk.
Vehicle Rescues in Aberdeenshire
In Aberdeenshire, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service conducted two separate rescues on Thursday morning. At approximately 8.30am, firefighters removed two people from a minibus stranded on the B977 near Kintore. A fire service spokesperson confirmed that one fire appliance and a specialist water rescue unit were mobilised to the scene, ensuring the individuals were taken to safety before crews departed.
In a concurrent incident near Banchory around 8.32am, one person was rescued from a car trapped in floodwater on the B976. Two fire appliances and specialist water rescue units responded, with the casualty guided to safety and assessed by the Scottish Ambulance Service at the location.
Transport Disruption and Official Warnings
Bear Scotland has reported disruption to roads in affected areas, such as flooding on the A85 between Crieff and Lochearnhead in Perthshire, though it remains accessible with caution. First Minister John Swinney, who represents the Perthshire area, urged residents via social media to exercise care and adhere to travel advice amid very challenging weather conditions, road closures, and elevated flooding danger.
Network Rail warned that the River Tay has risen considerably, threatening potential cancellations on services between Pitlochry and Dunkeld and Birnam in Perthshire if conditions deteriorate. Ferry operator CalMac has cancelled numerous services, with further delays or short-notice cancellations possible.
Ongoing Risks and Regional Impacts
Sepa emphasised on social media that river levels are rising, with flooding impacts likely in Tayside, the Angus hills, and south Aberdeenshire due to the amber rain warning. Low-lying land, roads, transport infrastructure, and properties are at risk. More localised river flooding is also possible in other parts of the country, including Dumfries and Galloway and sections of the Scottish Borders, underscoring the extensive nature of this weather event.
