The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said on 20 October 2023 that it had responded to almost 70 weather related incidents across Scotland since the morning of Thursday 19 October, including rescues from homes and floodwaters. Over the same period it received more than 750 emergency 999 calls and attended almost 300 incidents in total1.
The Met Office has issued a second Red weather warning covering the Tayside and Grampian regions from midnight on Friday 20 October to midnight on Saturday 21 October. An additional Amber warning for rain is in place across the Easter Ross, Caithness and Sutherland areas for Saturday, and existing warnings remain in effect across other areas in the east and north of Scotland1.
David Lockhart, SFRS Assistant Chief Officer, said firefighters were continuing to assist with several rescues from homes and urged residents to follow evacuation advice from local authorities and emergency services1.
"We are facing unprecedented flooding in many areas, and we must stress to the public that flood waters should always be avoided."
The service asked members of the public to avoid flood water at all costs and not to attempt to walk through, play in, drive through or otherwise enter any flooded areas for any reason. It asked people to keep children and pets away from the water and not to travel in or around the affected areas wherever possible. Anyone in trouble, or needing emergency service assistance, should call 999, and should not attempt to reach people, animals or properties through floodwaters1.
The SFRS set out the risks it says floodwater poses1:
| Risk | SFRS description |
|---|---|
| Swift currents | Even a few inches of moving water can knock you off your feet |
| Hidden hazards | Sharp debris, branches, rocks and submerged vehicles beneath the surface |
| Water quality | Contamination with sewage, chemicals and other pollutants; contact can cause infections and illnesses |
| Unpredictability | Water levels and currents can change rapidly; a shallow puddle can become dangerous within minutes |
| Cold water shock | Cold water can affect stamina |
The service also asked parents, guardians and carers to talk to children and young people about the dangers of playing in floodwater and the importance of staying away from flooded areas1.
Why it matters for households
The warnings cover Tayside and Grampian under the second Red warning from midnight on Friday 20 October to midnight on Saturday 21 October, with an Amber rain warning for Easter Ross, Caithness and Sutherland on the Saturday and existing warnings still in effect in other parts of east and north Scotland1. The SFRS advises households to listen to evacuation warnings and advice from their local authority or the emergency services, and to call 999 if someone is in trouble rather than attempting a rescue through floodwater1. Its guidance on the risks of moving water, hidden debris, contamination and cold water shock is set out above. The service says a significant number of resources from across Scotland are deployed in the affected areas to support evacuation and rescue efforts1.
What happens next
The second Red warning runs until midnight on Saturday 21 October, and the Amber rain warning for Easter Ross, Caithness and Sutherland applies on the Saturday1. No further updates beyond these warning periods have been reported.
For general preparation, see the guide to flooding and the flooding hub.
Sources (1)
- Storm Babet update | Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, firescotland.gov.uk
