UK – One Missing After Flash Floods in Scotland, 140mm of Rain in 48 Hours

by in News, UK

Police in UK report that one person is missing after being swept away by flash floods in Scotland on 18 November 2022.

Heavy rain fell across Scotland from 16 November, in particular areas of the north east. The UK’s Met Office said close to a month’s worth of rain fell across parts of Aberdeenshire and Angus in 48 hours to 18 November. As much as 140 mm of rain was recorded in Charr in Aberdeenshire. The village of Aboyne in Aberdeenshire recorded 71.4 mm of rain in 24 hours on 18 November.

Rainfall in Scotland, UK, 16 to 18 November 2022. Image: UK Met Office

Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said “We are seeing significant impacts from rivers in parts of Aberdeenshire and Angus. Seven severe flood warnings are live in Kintore, Kemnay, Inverurie, Ballater and Aberdeen (Dee), Brechin and Finavon and Tannadice.”

One person was reported missing after being swept away by flash flooding in Aberdeenshire. Scotland’s North East Police Division said searches are continuing following a report of concern for a woman in the water at the River Don near Monymusk on the afternoon of Friday, 18 November.

Inspector Rory Campbell said: “Officers, along with colleagues from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Coastguard, have resumed searches in the area where the woman was last seen.

“Conditions are tricky and dangerous and I am appealing to members of the public to stay away from flooded areas. Please be careful when you are out and about.”

Aberdeenshire Council opened rest centres in Ballater, Aboyne, Inverurie and Kemnay for those needing help and who are unable to stay in their homes. Local media reported residents of Ballater were preparing for severe flooding as levels of the Muick and Dee rivers were rising. Around 40 caravans were evacuated from Ballater Caravan Park.

Rail services were severely impacted. Hundreds of travellers were left stranded in Newcastle, England, due to the cancelled services to Scotland.

Several roads were flooded in Aberdeenshire as well as parts of Angus, Fife and Dundee districts. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said “Our Operations Control rooms are receiving a high number of emergency calls due to flooding in Brechin, Forfar and Dundee. We ask the public for their co-operation. Please only call if there is a serious emergency with risk to life.”

Cars were seen partially submerged along a major road near Ladybank in Fife. Some residents evacuated their homes in Brechin. Localised flooding was reported in areas of Edinburgh, leaving vehicles stranded.

Earlier in the week heavy rain caused flooding on roads in southern England, in particular in West Sussex. Local media reported 20 vehicles trapped on a flooded road in Chichester on 16 November 2022. West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said they responded to 70 flood-related incidents, including rescuing people from cars and flooding in buildings.

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