SEPA confirms Strathspey floods ‘could be worst since October 2023’ as Met Office upgrade rain warnings
Residents have been urged to ‘act now’ as authorities warn that expected flooding could be the worst for more than a year.
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has confirmed that “flooding is expected” across large swathes of the Highlands in a recent update.
Communities across Speyside are set to face “extremely high water levels”, according to SEPA’s Cordelia Menmuir.
At 11am, the Met Office confirmed an amber weather for rain would apply to an area spanning Inverness, Dingwall, Aviemore, Kingussie, Grantown, Aberlour and Fort William from midnight tonight.
In total, 16 flood warnings now apply across the Highlands and Moray.
In the Findhorn, Moray, Nairn and Speyside region, nine areas now face warnings - up from six earlier today - with Nairn most recently added to the list.
These include: Nairn Side (Cawdor); Spey Dam to Newtonmore; Newtonmore to Kingussie; Sluggan to Dulnain Bridge; Aberlour, Craigellachie and Dandaleith; Boat O’ Brig to Spey Viaduct; Spey Viaduct to Spey Bay; and Dallas to Doual Bridge.
In Kingussie, properties on Gynack Street, Gynack Road, Spey Street, Ruthven Road, High Street, Mill Road and Market Street were singled out as facing a higher risk of flooding.
Within the Easter Ross and Great Glen areas, flood warnings covering Moy Bridge and Strathglass have also been extended.
An update published at 11.19am predicts that “agricultural land in the Conon valley will be flooded”.
The SEPA statement also warned of a “likely” closure of the A832 between Moy Bridge and Marybank.
Still in force are warnings for those in the Strath Oykel and Strath Carron areas, with impacts on farmland and roads expected.
Ms Menmuir, the duty flooSEPA’s Duty Flood Manager, said:
“Extremely high water levels are expected in Speyside, the Great Glen and Tayside, resulting in disruptions to transport and to communities. It is possible we could see similar levels to those experienced in early October 2023, when places like Aviemore and Perth were severely affected.
“We’re likely to see extensive river and surface water flooding impacts across these areas. We’re already seeing impacts on the road and rail network, and further rain will only exacerbate this.
“We urge people living, working and visiting in the affected areas to consider any steps you need to take now to be prepared for flooding impacts. Consider whether your journey is necessary.”
