Flood Scheme: Turned on four days early. Pic: © STV
A new £1million flood prevention scheme has been switched on early in response to the ongoing bad weather across Scotland.
Full-scale live testing of SEPA's North East Flood Warning System started on Friday - four days before its official launch by Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead.
The system uses new technology to measures rainfall and river levels and issue early flood warnings.
Around 2000 homes and businesses around the rivers Dee, Don, Deveron and North Esk will benefit from the Scottish Government-funded scheme.
Mr Lochhead said: "Although there is currently no risk of severe flooding, it is important to be fully prepared in case things take a turn for the worse. This scheme was due to go live next week but in light of the heavy rain and snow affecting Scotland I have asked SEPA to begin live testing immediately.
"Should the risk of flooding increase in the north-east, members of the public will now have more precious time to prepare and protect themselves and their properties.
"Flooding wreaks havoc and distress whenever it strikes and we must do everything we can to protect ourselves from its devastating impact. This ground-breaking scheme is another example of the Scottish Government and SEPA working together to protect at-risk communities."
The areas that will benefit from the new scheme include Aberdeen, Inverurie and Huntly.
A number of rural settlements, large areas of agricultural land and significant transport links will also be safeguarded.
Richard Brown, SEPA's Head of Hydrology, said: "The aim of the flood warning schemes is to prevent loss of life and reduce the economic damage caused by floods.
“This is achieved through the ability to forecast likely flood conditions and provide interpretation and warnings to those at risk.
"When flooding is forecast in these rivers, local authorities will be directly alerted by SEPA and flood warning messages placed on the Floodline system."
