Back to News

Storm Éowyn brings coastal flooding to the west coast of Scotland as SEPA urges people to prepare and be aware

The Met Office wind, rain and snow warnings remain in place across Scotland for Friday and into Saturday as Storm Éowyn moves north throughout the weekend. 

Friday morning has already seen the Ayrshire coastline impacted by the extremely high winds and tidal surges causing large wave overtopping and flooding of paths and roads along Ayrshire’s coastal communities. 

SEPA is warning people to prepare and be aware over the weekend as coastal flooding impacts are expected to continue across the western coast of Scotland and moving further north as the storm progresses. 

Mark Franklin, SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, said: “We are already seeing large waves hitting coastal roads and paths around Ayrshire and the western coast and as the storm progresses throughout today, we will continue to see a risk of coastal flooding impacts, with surface water and small water course flooding as well.  

“SEPA’s message is clear, there is a real danger to life from wave overtopping, particularly around causeways, coastal roads and paths and people should take extra care if they are near the coast at any point and stay well clear of waves and water. We are also advising that people follow Police Scotland's travel advice for their areas.” 

Notes to Editors

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.

Sign up to Floodline and receive free flood messages letting you know when the area where you live, work or travel through is at risk of flooding.

Create a flood plan which includes knowing how to shut off your gas, water and electricity supplies.

Consider installing flood protection at your home.

Stay safe

• Follow the advice of emergency responders. 
• 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.     
• If you’re walking beside rivers be extra careful of wet footpaths and small watercourses.     
• Stay away from flooded promenades and crashing waves around the coast. 
• 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. 

Difference between flood alerts and flood warnings

We use forecast weather information provided by the Met Office combined with our own observation of rainfall and river levels and advanced hydrological modelling to provide advance warning of flooding.     

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.