There is now a red, danger to life, warning for part of Central and North East Scotland due to the amount of rainfall which is expected from Storm Babet.
In particular Perth, which was severely flooded by the last storm, is preparing for more flooding.
Expect road and rail disruption for several days and, if in the red warning area, be prepared to move fast.
There is the potential for communities to be cut off for several days in the red and amber warning areas.
I hope everyone stays safe!
Avanti and LNER are now warning of possible changes to cross Border train services on Thursday and Friday. All LNER services North of Edinburgh are already cancelled on both days.
In particular Edinburgh is now in the warning area.
Scotrail have now cancelled all services on Thursday and Friday on these lines- Perth-Aberdeen via Dundee, Perth-Aviemore (Highland main line), Perth-Dunblane, Aberdeen-Elgin (Aberdeen-Inverness line), Tain-Wick/Thurso (Far North line), and Fife Circle services.
The routes will need to be checked on Saturday morning before they can be re-opened.
The worst of the weather has only just started and already one person has died, through being swept away in floodwater. There are evacuations ongoing in several towns, especially Brechin.
There is now also an amber warning for tomorrow and into Saturday morning, all the way down the Pennines, from the Scottish Borders across Hadrian's Wall through Hexham and including the cities of Sheffield and Manchester. This is a 'be aware' warning, of potential impacts from the amount of rain falling as the storm retreats south.
In Scotland there is the potential to be one of the wettest days on record in the UK.
Hello!
We are here in Edinburgh through early next week, been here all week.
Yesterday was very windy with occasional light rain. Not cold. Really not bad considering this is Scotland. Having been here before, we knew to bring layers of clothing (fleece layer, light but comfy athletic wear, cashmere sweater, rain gear for top layer). Layers are great because easier to pull off a layer to stick in backpack if get too warm.
Today’s forecast is worse. Likely heavier rain and wind. Isn’t going to deter our sightseeing or museums.
I can’t stress enough, the need for sturdy hiking shoes with good treading. I wear Oboz, Merrell is good too.
In the old town, there are some old slate and brick sidewalks that are slightly covered in moss. When wet, walking on them can be quite slippery.
Yesterday I accidentally wore my Hoka hikers that have what I think is a pretty substantial tread. But Oboz have a grippier deep tread which would have been better. I had to hang onto the hand rails for dear life on Advocates Close and walking down Victoria Street.
We saw a lot of tourists nearly fall (they were wearing regular sneakers).
Most of the serious rain and wind warnings according to ITV and BBC apps show intensity across other side of Forth and north along the coast. Thus far hasn’t interrupted our Highlands visits; other than we couldn’t do the planned hikes.
Due to rail disruptions, some bus service is bolstered to take on more would be rail passengers.
Tip about how to use an umbrella in high winds, worked great for me yesterday in high wind light rain (taught to me by local friend): one hand on stem down near handle base but not on handle base, other hand as far up the stem as possible. Then, tilt umbrella slightly into the direction of the wind.
Hope all that info helps!
There is now a 2nd Red Warning issued from midnight tonight and in force for all of Saturday for the same areas of North East Scotland as Storm Babet returns north.
Please do not travel into the red warning areas, and if there please stay where you are. You will be putting your own safety and the safety of the emergency services at risk.
and obey instructions.
The couple and their dogs shown being rescued at dawn this morning on BBC Morning News, requiring a semi rigid inflatable and what looked like about 5 or 6 emergency workers said that they had been asked late last night to evacuate when they could have done on their own feet on unflooded ground but they refused. The man said he had been standing in water "since 5 o'clock".
Their health, welfare, and lives had been put in danger, as had the whole crew of emergency workers because they refused last night.
Please don't be that couple. As tourists you will know even less about what's around and what the hazards and dangers are.
There has now been a 3rd death at Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire, Most of Derbyshire now has a major incident declared due to flooding, and the North Yorkshire Coast- Scarborough, Whitby and up to South Shields (where a lighthouse has been wrecked)- is also heavily affected. Local authorities on the North Yorkshire coast are asking people not to travel to the area.
This looks quite dire!
The storm has finally moved north faster than expected and the red warning is to lifted 6 hours earlier than expected at 6pm.
But heavy flooding is still working it's way through the river systems and will be for several days.
Blue sky peeking through clouds here in Edinburgh. Cold, windy. Clearing.
The death toll in this storm has now risen to 5- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-67196752, and a
Water levels are still rising in parts of England where catchments take a while to drain through, such as on the River Trent- and there is more rain forecast for later in the week. While not hugely heavy rain it will be adding to the same rivers which have not yet cleared last week through.
