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SEPA urges Scots to “Prepare and Be Aware” for flooding over Winter

Met Office climate projections indicate an increase in the intensity of weather events and much wetter winters, with Scotland already experiencing the challenges these changes bring. Last year's storm season had the highest number of named storms since 2015, and this year has already seen several causing flooding across Scotland:

Storm Babet in October 2023 brought extreme rainfall to Scotland. Extensive river and surface water flooding caused widespread impacts with significant community scale property flooding and danger to life. Angus, Perthshire and Aberdeenshire were particularly affected by river flooding, with Brechin experiencing record flood levels. SEPA issued 15 regional Flood Alerts, 27 local Flood Warnings and five Severe Flood Warnings during Storm Babet alone.

Storm Gerrit in December 2023 caused localised property flooding, flooding of roads and disruption to travel across Scotland in late December. Strong winds combined with high tides and large waves also resulted in flood risk to coastal communities across the west and north of Scotland.

Storms Isha and Jocelyn arrived with days of each other in January, bringing high winds and heavy rain across the country. Localised flooding from rivers, the sea and surface water were all experienced, and the quick succession of storms made recovery difficult.

Storm Kathleen in April 2024 caused dangerous coastal conditions, including a real danger to life from wave overtopping for coastal communities around the Solway coast, Firth of Clyde, Eilean Siar and Orkney.

Storm Ashley, the first named storm this winter, caused coastal flooding with a key focus on Western Isles, Orkney and the west coast.

Storm Bert, the most recent named storm, caused localised flooding and disruption to travel particularly in the Easter Ross and Wester Ross, due to a combination of heavy rainfall, high winds and rapid snowmelt.

The impact of these storms, alongside additional unsettled weather periods causing flooding across Scotland, shows that preparation isn’t just practical - it’s essential.

“Flooding doesn’t just happen to someone else. There are an estimated 284,000 homes, businesses and services identified as at risk of flooding in Scotland, and anybody can be affected when traveling. Whether you live by a river, near the coast, or in a built-up area, flooding can affect you.   “The changing climate is bringing heavier rain, higher sea levels, and more stormy weather. Scotland experienced a record number of named storms in 2023/2024, and we issued over 1,000 regional Flood Alerts and local Flood Warnings (including seven Severe Flood Warnings) between September and the end of August to help people respond to predicted flooding. The question isn’t if it will happen, but when - and how prepared you are.”   

Flooding impacts people in deeply personal ways, and it can take a long time to recover if your property, belongings or business are damaged. This is unfortunately the growing reality of climate change in Scotland. But there are things you can do to minimise such impacts. 

Take a few simple steps now using the comprehensive information and tools provided by SEPA, to make a big difference when flooding is expected.

Three simple things you can do today

• Check the Scottish Flood Forecast: Combining the Met Office's cutting-edge weather forecasts with SEPA's data and expertise, the Scottish Flood Forecast provides a clear, three-day outlook that shows when and where flooding is expected, whether from rivers, surface water, or the sea in Scotland. It can also reassure you if flooding is not expected.
• Sign Up to Floodline for text, phone call, or email messages for the area where you live or work, allowing you to take action and prepare when flooding is expected.
• Follow SEPA on social media: SEPA provide information on predicted flooding in advance through the dedicated @SEPAFlood account on X and its Facebook page.

Visit our flooding pages today to access these tools and find out more about how to prepare for and be aware of potential flooding.

Prepare and be aware

“Flooding is one of the most visible and destructive impacts of climate change in Scotland. At SEPA, as the country’s flood forecasting, warning, and strategic flood risk management authority, we’re working every day to reduce the damage flooding can cause, from issuing early warnings to working with local partners and helping communities build resilience. But this is a shared challenge, and everyone has a part to play in preparing for what’s ahead.”   

"Although, at the moment, the weather for the coming winter months looks most likely to be fairly normal overall in terms of rainfall, there is a slight increase in the chance of wet and windy weather at times.   “Even in an average winter in Scotland we are likely to see periods of very wet weather, leading to heightened flood risk, and named storms, as well as settled spells, so it is important to plan ahead and prepare.” 

Working together, the Met Office and SEPA are a vital partnership helping Scotland be aware and prepare for flooding. The Met Office provide weather forecasts, severe weather warnings and data, which are crucial for predicting flood events. SEPA use this information, alongside their own river and coastal monitoring information and expertise, to forecast flood risk, inform emergency responders and issue regional Flood Alerts and local Flood Warnings to the public.

This collaboration ensures that complex data is turned into timely and clear information, so communities and emergency responders are well prepared for potential flooding, enabling effective responses to protect lives.

Flooding affects us all, but by acting now, we can reduce its impact. SEPA is committed to helping Scotland adapt to the challenges of a changing climate, supporting individuals, businesses, local authorities and other partner agencies with tools like the Scottish Flood Forecast and the Floodline service. Visit flooding today so you can prepare and be aware of flooding this winter, keeping your family, home, or business safe.

Notes to editor

• People are encouraged to sign up to the Floodline service to receive free updates for where they live, or where they’re travelling through, directly to their phone
• People can also check flood updates for all the latest updates and have a look at the three-day Scottish Flood Forecast to see what’s expected further ahead

Stay safe

• Don’t walk through flood water – 15cm of fast flowing water could be enough to knock you off your feet and hazards can be hidden under the water
• Drive with care, and do not travel through deep fast flowing water. It only takes 30cm of fast flowing water to move an average family sized car
• Be extra careful if near the coast. Stay away from flooded promenades and crashing waves
• Consider deploying flooding protection products if required

Stay informed

• Follow SEPA’s social media for the latest flooding information
• Check the Regional Flood Alerts and Local Flood Warnings for your area
• Check your transport routes and check road conditions
• Check Ready Scotland for advice on preparing for severe weather

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 to measure the exact water height. They are issued at shorter notice when we are more certain that a specific area will be affected.