RIVERS AND LOW lying areas throughout Moray and Speyside are in danger of flooding on Wednesday as heavy rain and thunderstorms are predicted to pass through the region.
The high temperatures of yesterday are set to make way for travel disruption and major problems for communities – in particular those already susceptible to flooding.
Met Office forecasters issued a yellow alert yesterday warning of ‘severe or hazardous’ weather throughout the country.
Meanwhile SEPA have taken heed of the warning, issuing a flood alert for Findhorn, Nairn, Moray and Speyside in which they say: “Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to pass close to this area on Wednesday, this increases the possibility of some surface water and river flooding.
“In built up areas, drainage systems may struggle to cope with the intensity of the rain and so surface water flooding is possible on the road network or in flood prone low lying areas. Travel disruption and flooding to properties is possible if the rain becomes prolonged.
“Small and medium sized watercourses may rise quickly in response to the rain, with flooding to low lying land and roads a possibility.”
Communities are warned to remain vigilant as the Met Office say that the storms could pass almost any community, saying: “Thunderstorms breaking out over parts of Northern Ireland later on Tuesday are expected to extend northeast to affect parts of Scotland overnight and into Wednesday morning.”
The unpredictable nature of the storms was underlined with the warning saying: “Whilst most places will miss the worst, please be aware of the risk of localised flash flooding.
“Frequent lightning, large hail and strong winds could be additional hazards. All of this could lead to some flooding of homes, businesses and transport networks. Disruption to power is also possible.”
The public can keep up with updates from SEPA online and check the status of currently in-force weather warnings for Moray.