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Heavy rain caused flooding and travel disruption in Scotland Heavy rain causes flooding and travel disruption in Scotland
(about 1 hour later)
Heavy rain has caused flooding and travel disruption in parts of Scotland, with Tayside and Fife the worst affected areas.Heavy rain has caused flooding and travel disruption in parts of Scotland, with Tayside and Fife the worst affected areas.
There are currently 16 flood warnings in force across the country.There are currently 16 flood warnings in force across the country.
Police said numerous roads were closed in the Tayside area, including the A92 eastbound from Dundee to Arbroath. Police said numerous roads were closed in the Tayside area. Train services were disrupted between Gleneagles and Perth after a landslip.
Train services have also been disrupted between between Gleneagles and Perth following a landslip. ScotRail said engineers were assessing the situation. With more rain forecast over the weekend the public have been urgent to remain vigilant.
All trains between Edinburgh and Perth were ending their journey at Ladybank, with buses operating between there and Perth. On Friday all trains between Edinburgh and Perth were ending their journey at Ladybank, with buses operating between there and Perth.
Services between Edinburgh and Inverness were being diverted via Dundee, adding extra time to journeys.Services between Edinburgh and Inverness were being diverted via Dundee, adding extra time to journeys.
Serco NorthLink Ferries said that sailings between the Northern Isles and Aberdeen had been disrupted due to adverse weather conditions.Serco NorthLink Ferries said that sailings between the Northern Isles and Aberdeen had been disrupted due to adverse weather conditions.
Loganair has put on an extra flight between Aberdeen and Shetland on Saturday and retailer Tesco has charted a Hercules transporter plane to fly supplies to the islands to restock empty shelves.
Fife Fire and Rescue said it had received calls, mainly from the north east of the area, asking for help to stop flood water getting into houses and to rescue people from trapped cars.Fife Fire and Rescue said it had received calls, mainly from the north east of the area, asking for help to stop flood water getting into houses and to rescue people from trapped cars.
Two families had to be evacuated from their homes in Cupar due to rising flood waters. The council was rehousing them.
At about 03:00 a taxi driver was rescued from his cab on the A923 in Coupar Angus, when flood water had reached his doorsills.At about 03:00 a taxi driver was rescued from his cab on the A923 in Coupar Angus, when flood water had reached his doorsills.
Difficult conditions
A number of rivers also burst their banks, including the River Eden in Cupar and the Leet in Coldstream, in the Borders.A number of rivers also burst their banks, including the River Eden in Cupar and the Leet in Coldstream, in the Borders.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for heavy and persistent rain for Stirlingshire, Perthshire and Angus - and a yellow warning for parts of central and eastern Scotland.The Met Office has issued an amber warning for heavy and persistent rain for Stirlingshire, Perthshire and Angus - and a yellow warning for parts of central and eastern Scotland.
Portmoak Primary in Perth and Kinross was closed on Friday. The school itself was unaffected, but several access roads were flooded.Portmoak Primary in Perth and Kinross was closed on Friday. The school itself was unaffected, but several access roads were flooded.
Angus Council distributed sand bags and flood barriers to residents living alongside the South Esk River in Brechin.Angus Council distributed sand bags and flood barriers to residents living alongside the South Esk River in Brechin.
At its peak, the river was about 5in from breaking its banks, but it is understood that the level has since dropped. At its peak, the river was about 5in from breaking its banks.
The authority said there had also been flooding to the playgrounds, car park and entrances at Glamis Primary school, but the school is open.
Dundee City Council said it had received a number of reports of flooding and had supplied sandbags where requested. It was working with Tayside Police and provided signage for road closures.Dundee City Council said it had received a number of reports of flooding and had supplied sandbags where requested. It was working with Tayside Police and provided signage for road closures.
Meanwhile Tayside Police criticised some drivers for not heeding advice and driving at speeds unsuited to the difficult conditions.Meanwhile Tayside Police criticised some drivers for not heeding advice and driving at speeds unsuited to the difficult conditions.
The force said it had dealt with a number of collisions as a result of poor driving, although added that no one had been seriously hurt.The force said it had dealt with a number of collisions as a result of poor driving, although added that no one had been seriously hurt.
Safe speedSafe speed
Sgt Mark Hill, from road policing in Angus, said: ''We had to warn several drivers about their speed, particularly in built up areas such as Brechin and Forfar.Sgt Mark Hill, from road policing in Angus, said: ''We had to warn several drivers about their speed, particularly in built up areas such as Brechin and Forfar.
"But it wasn't confined to the towns and villages and we had to stop and speak with drivers on roads out of town because they were driving at speed beyond what is safe for wet road conditions."But it wasn't confined to the towns and villages and we had to stop and speak with drivers on roads out of town because they were driving at speed beyond what is safe for wet road conditions.
''Tayside Police officers have attended several collisions during this spell of dreadful weather where road surfaces have been affected by flood water."''Tayside Police officers have attended several collisions during this spell of dreadful weather where road surfaces have been affected by flood water."
He added: ''This included two accidents on Friday morning; one on the A934 Montrose/ Forfar Road, which resulted in the driver sustaining a wrist injury and another on a rural road just outside Forfar where the vehicle ended up on its side. Fortunately the driver escaped without serious injury. Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: "I encourage people to remain vigilant this weekend. With many people needing to make last minute journeys over the festive period they should pay attention to Sepa's floodline.
''Incidents such as these highlight the very good reasons why drivers need to remember to keep their speed down and drive according to the conditions. "I participated in the Scottish government's Resilience operation meeting earlier today to ensure we remain fully aware of the latest flooding risks across Scotland and appropriate actions are taken to ensure the risk of flooding is minimised."
"There could easily be a flooded stretch of road just around the next corner requiring the driver to react quickly."
It is the second day of heavy rain, with up to 55mm falling in some places on Thursday.It is the second day of heavy rain, with up to 55mm falling in some places on Thursday.
Fire crews had to pump water from the main A9 route to and from the Highlands on Thursday after heavy rain running off the hills closed the road for several hours.Fire crews had to pump water from the main A9 route to and from the Highlands on Thursday after heavy rain running off the hills closed the road for several hours.
The weather also led to ferry cancellations to the Northern Isles.The weather also led to ferry cancellations to the Northern Isles.
BBC Scotland weather presenter Judith Ralston said there had been persistent rain across eastern areas.BBC Scotland weather presenter Judith Ralston said there had been persistent rain across eastern areas.
"Atlantic weather systems would normally sweep across the country fairy quickly and clear," she explained."Atlantic weather systems would normally sweep across the country fairy quickly and clear," she explained.
"However, at the moment there is a stationary area of high pressure over Scandinavia which is preventing bands of rain from clearing from Scotland."However, at the moment there is a stationary area of high pressure over Scandinavia which is preventing bands of rain from clearing from Scotland.
"Instead, it is slowing them up across eastern areas, where they are becoming static, taking much longer to pass by.""Instead, it is slowing them up across eastern areas, where they are becoming static, taking much longer to pass by."
She added that the next weather system was due to sweep in later on Friday night and during Saturday.She added that the next weather system was due to sweep in later on Friday night and during Saturday.
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Frost

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Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

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Snow

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Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy
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