Timing appeared to be spot on for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) when they launched a new and improved coastal flood warning service on Monday.
Coastal communities along the Moray Firth are expected to benefit from the system that will provide advance warning on flood risks ahead of extreme weather in the region.
The system was launched just as high winds hit the region with roads blocked by fallen trees and flood warnings were being issued.
A tree alongside Moray Council’s HQ was toppled while another came down at Mosstodloch Primary School, while the road linking the A96 and Elginshill was also blocked by a fallen tree.
Moray escaped the worst ravages of the stormy weather, however, as winds reaching 74mph hit parts of Aberdeenshire along with 20mm of rainwater falling over Aboyne.
Part of Elgin High Street was closed for a short while after a rare 40ft poplar collapsed. A spokesman said: “It was one of those trees where the main trunk was split into two when one of the halves gave way and collapsed – taking a lamppost with it.”
It is understood that nobody was hurt in any of the incidents in Moray.
A public drop-in session is being held in Lossiemouth Town Hall on Wednesday to outline the new coastal flood warning system.
The new system will cover 17 areas along the coast in future warnings including Portgordon to Cullen, Spey Viaduct to Spey Bay, Findhorn and Lossiemouth.
It will compliment the existing Sepa flood warning system that provides advance information on 250 areas throughout Scotland.