Storm Ashley: SEPA warn of Sunday storm surge across coastal areas
Date published: 20 October 2024
Regional Flood Alerts and local Flood Warnings are in place as Storm Ashley brings high winds and heavy rain across Scotland tonight and tomorrow. The combination of high tides, storm surge and large waves means coastal flooding is expected across the Western Isles, Orkney and along the west coast.
Flooding impacts will likely affect infrastructure, including coastal roads, paths, causeways, properties and communities throughout the west, focusing on the north west tonight and the Solway Firth in the early hours of Monday morning. Conditions around the coast will also present a possible danger to life due to large waves.
SEPA will continue to review and issue regional Flood Alerts and local Flood Warnings across the next few days as the situation develops.
Catherine Evans, SEPA's Flood Duty Manager, said:
"Scotland will experience the impacts from Storm Ashley this evening and into tomorrow morning. Coastal flooding will impact communities along the west coast and the islands, due to already high water levels combined with strong winds and large waves.
"While the risk is most significant around high tide times, our message continues to be: take extra care if you are near the coast at any point and stay clear of waves and water. Be careful when travelling around exposed coastal areas. Don't walk or drive through flood water as there may be hidden hazards.
"Flood Alerts and Warnings are in place. We will continue to work with the Met Office to monitor the situation 24/7 and review regional Flood Alerts and local Flood Warnings as required, so please do stay up to date through our website at beta.sepa.scot/flooding.
"We advise people to sign up to Floodline to receive free updates for where they live, or travel through, directly to their phone. People can also check our flood updates for all the latest information and view the three-day Scottish Flood Forecast to see what conditions are expected further ahead."
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 @SEPAFlood on X 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.