Around 200 homes in Elgin are to be evacuated as the level of the River Lossie continues to rise to levels considered to be a threat to safety.
Residents in Chanonry Road, Pinefield Road, Lossie Cottages, Three Rivers Walk and Newmill Road will be evacuated along with other streets that are thought to be most at risk within the next few hours as the river threatens to overflow its banks.
A Moray Council statement said: “Transport is being arranged to take residents to Elgin High School which is being activated as a rest centre.
“With a high tide expected around 1pm, the afternoon hours are expected to be critical and it is intended that the evacuation will take place over lunchtime and the early afternoon.
“Residents being evacuated will be called on by members of Moray Council staff within the next hour or so.”
Earlier today SEPA raised the flood status in Moray to a Flood Alert – the level where flooding is deemed to be possible. The Alert warns that flooding of local rivers could impact into Tuesday as the water continues to rise.
For more information on flood alerts in the region visit http://floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates/info/group-id/4834
Meanwhile severe flooding is also causing problems in Dallas – see video below.
Update at 2pm – Moray Council have set up a rest centre is being prepared at Forres Community Centre as the level of the River Findhorn reaches dangerously high levels.
They say that water levels at the Broom of Moy are giving cause for concern and the next two hours or so are likely to be critical. The rest centre will be available in the event that any homes have to be evacuated.
There is also concern that the river may burst its banks close to the A96 immediately west of Forres.