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Evacuation warning following rain Dam flood fear sparks evacuation
(about 2 hours later)
Up to 20 farms in Renfrewshire may have to be evacuated after a warning that a reservoir dam in the area could burst. The evacuation of residents at several farms in Renfrewshire has begun after heavy weekend rain put huge strain on the walls of a reservoir.
Environment chiefs issued a warning saying the integrity of the dam, near Ladyland Castle, had been affected over the weekend. Environment chiefs issued a warning that the integrity of the dam, near Ladyland Castle, had been affected.
Engineers have been controlling the release of excess water, in a bid to take pressure off the structure. Concerns were raised that a burst would cause water to sweep down the nearby Maich Burn and flood homes.
A flood warning was issued for part of the Maich Water channel. Engineers have been controlling the release of excess water in a bid to take pressure off the structure.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency stated there was a risk of the sudden release of water stored behind the dam. The A760 Lochwinnoch to Kilbirnie road was closed as a precaution and drivers and pedestrians were warned to stay away from the area.
Diarmid McArthur, who lives two fields away from the Maich Burn, moved into a nearby guest house with his wife and two daughters after the police came to his door.
He told BBC Scotland: "It's really a surreal situation. One minute you're playing with your daughters - we'd cut the grass, we'd been weeding - and the next minute they're saying you need to leave your house.
"It's not the kind of thing you normally expect."
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said there was a risk of the sudden release of water stored behind the dam.
It added: "Should there be a significant release of water, there will be a rapid increase in the volume, depth and velocity of water in the Maich Water channel.It added: "Should there be a significant release of water, there will be a rapid increase in the volume, depth and velocity of water in the Maich Water channel.
"There is therefore a risk of flooding and erosion of the channel.""There is therefore a risk of flooding and erosion of the channel."
The A760 Lochwinnoch to Kilbirnie road was closed as a precaution.
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