The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service issued a statement on 20 October 2023 on its response to Storm Babet, saying it had a number of resources committed to support evacuations and rescues in the areas most severely impacted by the storm1. The service said these areas primarily include Brechin and also other areas across Tayside and Grampian1.
The statement was given by Stuart Stevens, Deputy Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service1. He described the deployment as a carefully planned and coordinated operation involving the strategic movement of appliances and specialist rescue crews, intended to ensure the service was best placed to respond effectively and to protect the welfare of its crews1. He said it remained a challenging period1.
"we strongly urge members of the public to avoid travelling to the areas affected and to follow safety advice and guidance issued by your local authority and the emergency services"
The statement did not give numbers of properties evacuated, people rescued or casualties, and no such figures have been reported in it1. It also did not set out how long operations in Brechin, Tayside and Grampian were expected to continue1.
Why it matters for households
The service's statement concerns households in Brechin and across Tayside and Grampian, where evacuations and rescues were under way on 20 October 20231. For people in those areas, the service's position was that the public should avoid travelling to the affected areas and should follow safety advice and guidance issued by their local authority and the emergency services1. The statement did not identify specific roads, properties or neighbourhoods beyond naming Brechin and the wider regions1.
The service said the operation involved moving appliances and specialist rescue crews between locations so that it could respond effectively, and that protecting the welfare of those crews was part of the planning1. It did not say which stations or units had been moved, or from where1.
What happens next
No further steps, timescales or later updates were set out in the statement1. Households in the affected areas were directed to their local authority and the emergency services for safety advice and guidance1. General information on preparing for storms is set out in the guide to storms and snow.
Sources (1)
- Storm Babet statement | Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, firescotland.gov.uk
