Multiple flood warnings issued by SEPA as Storm Isha rages in Scotland

Multiple flood warnings and alerts have been issued across Scotland as Storm Isha brings heavy rain and strong winds.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued 17 flood alerts and 13 flood warnings across Scotland.

Janine Hensman, flood duty manager for SEPA said the flooding is expected as snow continues to melt and widespread heavy rain is set to hit Scotland as Storm Isha arrives.

“Rivers are starting to respond to rainfall so we expect more localised flooding from rivers, sea and surface water.

“It’s likely to disrupt travel and transport, and potential flooding could hamper efforts to respond to wind damage from Storm Isha,” Ms Hensman said.

The agency warned that southern and western coasts may see causeways, promenades, properties and roads flooding due to strong winds combined with high tides and large waves.

“We have issued Regional Flood Alerts and Flood Warnings as our rivers respond to the heavy rain and snow earlier in the week. We continue to work with the Met Office to monitor the situation 24/7.”

SEPA advised people travelling in the affected areas to consider any steps they need to take to be prepared and stay safe, and to take extra care if they need to travel.

The agency encouraged the public to sign up to Floodline for free updates and to check their updates for all the latest information, as well as the three-day Scottish Flood Forecast to see what conditions are expected further ahead.

Flood alerts and warnings are in place in the following areas:

Ayrshire
Dumfries and Galloway
Orkney
Scottish Borders
Tayside
Aberdeenshire
Argyll and Bute
Caithness and Sutherland
Central
Dundee and Angus
Easter Ross and Great Glen
Findhorn Nairn Moray and Speyside
Shetland
Skye and Lochaber
West Central Scotland
Wester Ross
Western Isles

The warnings come as the Met Office amber weather alert comes in place across most of Scotland due to the arrival of Storm Isha.

The alert comes into place at 9pm on Sunday and will be in place until 6am on Monday covering most of Scotland, except the the Shetland Islands which is currently under a yellow warning for wind.

Gusts reaching 65-75mph are expected widely, and even 80-85mph gusts could hit very locally over parts of west and northern Scotland.

This is the ninth named storm since the storm naming season began in September, and the second of 2024 after Storm Henk at the start of January.

The chaotic conditions are set to condition into Tuesday and Wednesday when yellow weather warnings for wind are set to come into place.

The Met Office alert currently covers the whole of Scotland except the Shetland Islands and will come into place around 4pm on Tuesday until 12pm on Wednesday.