Stornoway on weekend flood alert 31/1/13
Stornoway town centre is at risk of being flooded this weekend as the combination
of an extraordinary high tide and strong winds threatens to wash the sea into shops
and homes.
Residents and business owners were sandbagging their premises tonight (Fri) and will
do the same for the next two nights until the predicted six metre tide levels subside.
Another gale accompanied by heavy rain racing in from the Atlantic is forecast to
batter the Hebrides and west coast this weekend.
Environment agency Sepa warned: “Typical impacts are likely to include flooding
of some of the individual properties and some transport disruption including the
harbour area of Stornoway and causeways on the Western Isles.
Parts of Loch Linnhe and Ullapool as well as Shetland and Orkney are also at risk
of minor coastal flooding.
Police will be patrolling vulnerable areas while Western Isles Council staff will
be checking on causeways in Uist this weekend.
Inspector Roddie Mackay of Western Isles Police said: “This weekend we have the potential
for flooding in and around Stornoway town centre.”
He said a storm surge caused by the mix of high tides and gales could result in localised
flooding and see waves breaking over coastal roads and causeways.
Inspector Mackay added: “The emergency planning co-ordinating group for the Western
Isles have met and issued guidance to the public over the weather conditions.
“We would ask motorists to take particular care while driving.”
Stornoway business owner Iain Macaulay of the Independent Mortgage Shop in North
Beach Street said he was trying to protect his property with council issued sandbags
in line with emergency planners advice.
Mr Macaulay said: “With the high tide and the general weather conditions we’ve been
advised to take all precautions and to put sandbags against all the properties on
this street in case the water goes into our buildings.”