Flood warning scheme explained
A NEW £1 million scheme will help protect Deeside communities from flooding, members of Banchory Community Council were told this week.
SEPA's flood warning duty officer Ian Forbes, who gave a presentation at the group's monthly meeting, said the new system that covers the North-east of Scotland will help prevent loss of life and reduce the economic damage caused by floods.
The scheme, which uses state of the art technology to provide early flood warnings, was officially launched by Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead MSP earlier this month.
Mr Forbes said: "In Banchory the area most at threat from flooding is the Invercannie Water Works. Although Banchory is not at a particular threat from the River Dee, flooding doesn't always come from a river. In summer we can get big thunderstorms which can cause problems if the drainage systems get overloaded.
"The fact that Banchory is on a hillside can also lead to problems with a build-up of water in certain areas."
Mr Forbes said SEPA has recorded more instances of flooding since 2000 than it had during any other decade since records began 50 years ago.
He added: "The last 10 years have been particularly aggressive. In October last year we measured 265mm of rain in the final two weeks of the month at Durris. That rainfall was what led to the bad events in Stonehaven.
"SEPA are trying to be on the ball and if we receive advanced weather warnings we will put out flood warnings straight away."
The 24-hour Floodline is available on 0845 988 1188 and the flood warnings for across the North-east, which include the River Dee and River Don, can be viewed at www.sepa.org.uk/flooding
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Weather for Banchory
Monday 21 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 7 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
