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SEPA urges the public to sign up for free flood messages before heading into the festive period

Whether you’re driving home for Christmas or planning festive outings during the holidays, SEPA’s free Floodline messaging service provides current information and advice about flooding in Scotland so you can prepare for any travel disruption or local impacts.

As Scotland’s national flood forecasting and warning authority, SEPA work with the Met Office to monitor river, coastal and rainfall sites across the country 24/7. When flooding impacts are forecast, we issue regional Alerts, local Warnings or, in worst case scenarios local Severe Warnings, via phone call or text.

Michael Cranston, Lead Specialist in Flood Forecasting and Warning at SEPA, said: “Being prepared for severe weather events is essential, especially at this time of year when people are clocking off from their usual schedules and travelling to see loved ones.

“Don’t let the weather put a dampener on celebrations. By signing up to our Floodline service, you can prepare for adverse driving conditions and plan your journey in advance.

“We are committed to continuing to keep communities informed and as safe as possible, and we urge those who aren’t signed up to Floodline yet to take action now.”

In October alone, more than 200 messages were issued to communities across Scotland experiencing flooding following intense rainfall during Storm Babet.

SEPA are continuing to expand the national flood warning service network and have recently added six local Flood Warning areas along the River Carron near Falkirk.

Sign up to Floodline free of charge online to receive messages directly to your phone, letting you know when the area where you live, work or travel through is at risk of flooding.

Follow @SEPAFlood on X, formerly Twitter, for the latest updates including our three-day Scottish Flood Forecast or visit our website for a view of all the latest flood updates and further information looking ahead so you can see what conditions to expect.

Notes to editors

• A 1min 16sec audio file is available to download from our media centre. You do not require a login to access this file.
• What’s the difference between a flood alert and a flood warning?
  • Regional flood alerts are early advice that flooding is possible across a wider geographical area. The purpose of the alerts is to make people aware of the risk of flooding and be prepared. We normally issue them 12 to 24 hours in advance of the possibility of flooding.
  • Flood warnings are more locally specific and are issued for areas where we have gauges on rivers to measure the exact river height. They are issued at shorter notice when we are more certain that a specific area will be affected.
• To understand how flood risk will be managed in your area, view our Flood Risk Management Plans website.
• More information on SEPA and public bodies responsibilities for flooding can be found on our website at responsibilities for flooding.
• All SEPA’s regional flood alerts and local flood warnings are available on our website.
• Check the Scottish Flood Forecast – developed in partnership with the Met Office it provides the earliest indication possible of when and where flooding is expected over the next three days, and whether the source is from rivers, surface water or the sea.
• Follow our dedicated flooding channel @SEPAFlood on X, formerly Twitter, for the latest flooding information.