Travel was severely disrupted throughout Moray on Tuesday when torrential rain, gales and high seas battered the region – a red ‘immediate action’ warning for flooding remains in place this morning.
Police had to close the main A96 route to Aberdeen when a van was trapped and blocked the route between Keith and Huntly, while trains between Inverness and Aberdeen were cancelled.
The first trains between Inverness and Aberdeen at 4.53 and 5.54 this morning were terminated at Elgin with the line between Elgin and Aberdeen still affected by flooding.
In Elgin Maisondieu Road was closed after drains could note cope with the deluge – other roads closed were Trinity Place, Station Road, Edgar Road and Victoria Crescent.
In Keith the B9104 route to Dufftown was closed late last night while B9118 Bridge of Isla to Rothiemay (Deveronside) road was closed along its entire length.
Moray Council workmen were delivering sandbags to communities throughout the region late into Tuesday evening, with coastal communities battered by high tides that caused severe flooding at Kingston golf course and low-lying parts of Lossiemouth.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) – who are today holding a drop-in session at the Lossiemouth Town Hall to highlight their new coastal flooding early warning service – say that communities all along the Moray Firth should be aware that a risk of flooding will exist until after today’s high tide, which is expected around midday.
Last night a police spokesman reminded the public that a red ‘immediate action’ alert remained throughout the region. He said: “We would like to remind members of the public to take care in the current adverse weather conditions.
“A red immediate action warning remains in place for wind and rain in Moray and agencies will continue to monitor areas of concern.
“The weather is creating high waves at seafront areas as well as localised flooding across the region – many of the region’s rivers are at a higher level than usual. Members of the public are advised to avoid any activities which may put their safety at risk, including fishing.”
Meanwhile on the Moray Firth a vessel that was moving a cargo of radioactive waste from Scrabster to Antwerp in Belgium got into trouble when fire broke out on board.
The flames were extinguished by the crew of the Parida who were attempting to secure the vessel and stop her drifting. Aberdeen Coastguard said that a tug was despatched at 10pm last night on a five-hour journey to aid the ship, which was reported to be 20nm south east of Wick.