Plea to evacuate as 'serious emergency' declared amid record flooding in Angus

A Scottish council is in “the middle of a very serious emergency” with “unprecedented” record-breaking flooding.

Angus Council has pleaded for those at risk of floods to not leave it too late.

It comes after a 57-year-old woman died after being swept into a river in Angus while more than 400 homes in the area were told to evacuate.

Flood levels are more than half a metre over the highest recorded. Defences in Brechin were breached at around 4am with River South Esk 4.4m above normal.

First Minister Humza Yousaf said he “cannot stress how dangerous” conditions in Brechin are.

“Listen to the advice below, it is for your own safety. Situation will worsen as rainfall continues,” he said.

“We completely understand that it is very hard to leave your home but parts of Brechin, and increasingly other parts of Angus, are now only accessible via boat,” a council spokesperson said.

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“Rescue crews are now dealing with around 100 calls from areas which were asked to evacuate yesterday evening.

“Angus is in the middle of a very serious emergency. Flooding is unprecedented. Levels are over half a
metre over the last highest ever.

“Most roads are affected. A90 is closed in both directions and is not passable for any have-a-go heroes.

“Do not travel. If you think you have an appointment, you don’t. If you really think you need to get to work, check with your boss. If you’re a boss, please consider your employees and the need for them to attend work.

Members of the coastguard go door to door in River Street as they expect the river South Esk to burst it’s banks. Getty Images

“It has been a very challenging night, Brechin defences were breached around 4am this morning and the river levels are around 4.4m above normal levels. This is completely unprecedented and at these heights, gauges have become unreliable.

“If you think that you are in danger of flooding, please don’t leave it too late. If asked to
evacuate, please do so, hard as it is.”

Angus Council has set up three rest centres at Montrose Sports Centre and Brechin and Forfar Community Campuses. They are open for all, including pets.

There are 30 flood warnings in place across Scotland. This includes four severe flood warnings, 16 flood warnings and 12 flood alerts.