December 23, 2024

Glasgow Standard

News and features from GCU Journalism Students

Babet: A storm we will not forget

Red weather warning extended after deadly winds and heavy flooding cause damage across the East of Scotland.

Parts of the country were placed in the rare warning from Thursday evening after storm Babet battered the country.

The red warning was due to end at noon on Friday but has been extended through to Saturday, covering Angus only.

Dundee, Perth, Kinross, Aberdeenshire and Angus endured winds of up to 70mph and rainfall of between 100-200mm.

Alyth Square

Towns and villages in East Scotland were left isolated after severe flooding cut off road access to them.

Alyth, a town in Perthsire, frequently experiences water damage during heavy rainfall so had flood prevention in place when the storm hit.

Despite this the Alyth burn still burst its banks and damaged nearby properties in the town square.

Alyth Square on Thursday night. Source: Rachel Muir

Rachel Muir is a resident, she said: “We’re fortunate because our house isn’t affected.

“Since the big flood of 2015 Alyth is now prepared with personal flood gates and sandbags.

“We just get on with it and keep and eye out for each other.

“There’s a warning system in place and residents are on high alert for rapid water level changes.”

Source: Susan Douglas

Two people lost their lives in the Angus area on Thursday during the storm.

A 57-year-old woman died after she was swept into the Water of Lee and a 56-year-old man was killed when a tree hit a van.

The residents of Alyth used Facebook to connect with each other and share updates as the storm hit.

Community counselor Dot Mckenzie thanked the volunteers who provided aid through the night alongside her.

She said: “Alyth is a great community that all band together to help each other in these more frequent floods.

“The town hall was opened as a safe warm place and provided hot soup and drinks for volunteers and anyone who needed a safe place.”

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