Statements : 2020

SEPA systems outage

In the early hours of 24 December SEPA systems became subject to a significant systems outage. Our contact centre, phone lines and email are currently down. 

Whilst we work hard to understand and resolve the issues, people can:

• Report environmental events at sepa.org.uk/report
• Check flooding information at floodline.    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook - Saturday 5 December 2020

Pascal Lardet, SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, said:

This morning (Saturday 5 December 2020) heavy showery weather is expected to continue across the North East of Scotland, however this should ease to scattered showers across the North and North East of Scotland later this afternoon. Communities affected by the heavy rainfall    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook - Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 November

Pascal Lardet, SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, said:

“Persistent and heavy rain is expected across western and northern Scotland on Tuesday and Wednesday. Flooding impacts from rivers and surface water are possible from Argyll & Bute to Caithness, including Tayside, Wester Ross, Easter Ross and Great Glen. Impacts may include flooding of l    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook - Sunday 1 November

16 REGIONAL FLOOD ALERTS & 22 LOCAL FLOOD WARNINGS REMAIN IN FORCE
BY SCOTTISH ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY

Mark Franklin, SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, said:

“We are expecting rainfall over the South West this afternoon and evening which may lead to flooding impacts from rivers and surface water in Dumfries    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook - Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November (1)

 Saturday 31st October 2020 I  11:45 AM

Read the full statement

Flooding outlook - Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November

Mark Franklin, SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, said:

“Heavy rain and strong winds are expected across much of Scotland on Saturday and Sunday. Flooding impacts from rivers and surface water are possible across much of the south west and west of Scotland, including Argyll, much of central Scotland and extending across Tayside into Angus and sou    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook - Thursday 29 October

Marc Becker, SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, said:

“Heavy, persistent rain is expected across the West and South West of Scotland most of the day on Thursday, with river and surface water flooding impacts possible in North Ayrshire and Galloway. This may result in localised flooding, affecting properties, communities and key infrastructure.

Flooding outlook - Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October

Nigel Goody, SEPA’s Duty Flood Manager, said:

“Heavy, persistent rain is expected across the north of the country on Wednesday night into Thursday morning with river and surface water flooding impacts possible in Easter Ross, Moray and Speyside. This may result in localised flooding affecting communities as well as transport disruption. Read the full statement

Flooding outlook – Monday 19 October and Tuesday 20 October

Nigel Goody, SEPA’s Duty Flood Manager, said:

“Persistent, and heavy rain is expected across much of the country on Monday with river and surface water flooding possible in the west and southwest of Scotland as well as the north side of the Firth of Forth and the north Aberdeenshire coast on Monday and into Tuesday. This may result in loc    Read the full statement

Mossmorran Unplanned Flaring: Sunday 4th October 2020

SUNDAY 04/10/20 : UNPLANNED FLARING

MOSSMORRAN UPDATE : 20:30 SUNDAY 04/10/20

Having received reports of elevated flaring at the ExxonMobil Chemical Fife Ethylene Plant shortly after 3:30am on Sunday, SEPA officers have remained in contact with the site across the day.

SEPA’s four remote monitoring points    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook Sunday 4 October

Marc Becker, SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, said:

"The majority of rainfall has now cleared but we are urging people to stay prepared and plan ahead with the continued potential for river and surface water flooding in the North-East.

"Some rivers levels are still to peak and impacts, particularly from the River Don, Lower Dee, Lower Sp    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook – Saturday 03 and Sunday 04 October

Marc Becker, SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, said:

"Surface water and serious flooding is expected as persistent, heavy rain is due on Saturday evening and into Sunday across many parts of the North-East and East of Scotland. SEPA has issued a number of Flood Alerts and people should prepare for potential flooding of property, infrastructure a    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook update – Sunday 13 September

Flooding outlook update – Sunday 13 September
13/09/20 : 11:00am

75mm OF RAINFALL OVERNIGHT AT REST AND BE THANKFUL AS REGIONAL FLOOD ALERTS REMAIN IN FORCE FOR NORTH WEST SCOTLAND

75mm of rain fell in a 24 hour period at the Rest and Be Thankful,  Argyll as Scotland faced a weekend of wet wea    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook update – Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September

Flooding outlook update – Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September
12/09/20 : 11:0am

10 REGIONAL FLOOD ALERTS IN FORCE FROM SCOTTISH ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), this morning (Saturday 12th September 2020) confirmed that it had issued ten regional    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook – Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September

Mark Franklin, SEPA’s Duty Flood Manager, said:

“Persistent, and occasionally heavy rain will bring a gradual build-up of surface water and rising river levels during Saturday evening and into Sunday across many parts of the North, West and Central Highlands. This is likely to result in localised flooding of land and roads, as well as som    Read the full statement

Flooding update – Tuesday 25 August

Marc Becker, SEPA Duty Flood Manager, said:

“Heavy rain will continue into the evening across many areas of southern, central and eastern Scotland on Tuesday 25 August. This will bring a risk of flooding from both surface water and rivers. As we move into the overnight period the greatest risk of flooding will be from rivers    Read the full statement

Carradale North Salmon Farm

A spokesperson for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency said:

“As Scotland’s environmental regulator, we share concerns regarding the loss of salmon as a result of Storm Ellen.  Whilst we are confident that marine pens have been returned to their authorised position and that there was no significant pollution, we are liaising with M    Read the full statement

Flooding update - Wednesday 12 August 13:38

Nigel Goody, SEPA's Duty Flood Manager, said:

“Following heavy thunderstorms overnight SEPA has a number of Flood Alerts in place and Flood Warnings in Aberdeenshire, Angus and Tayside. Small watercourses responded rapidly to the intense rainfall and localised impacts from these watercourses and small river catchments have been reported i    Read the full statement

SEPA monitoring illegal tyre dumping across West of Scotland

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is closely monitoring tyre sites and key locations across Glasgow and the West of Scotland this weekend as part of a multi-agency operation with Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council.

The move comes after a week which saw us working with partners including Police Scotland and Glasgow Ci    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook - Saturday 27 June

Flooding outlook – Saturday 27 June

Flood Alerts are out across the country due to the risk of heavy isolated showers. Impacts are possible from surface water flooding and disruption to travel is possible, particularly if rain falls in built up areas prone to flooding, or on major roads.

Minor impacts are also poss    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook - Friday 26 June

Flooding outlook – Friday 26 June

Significant impacts are possible from surface water flooding on Friday afternoon and evening across the country due to heavy, thundery showers. In the north east, these impacts may continue to be seen overnight and into Saturday morning.

Most places will stay dry, but flooding and    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook - Thursday 25 June

Flooding outlook – Thursday 25 June

Significant disruption is possible on Thursday afternoon (25 June 2020) and through the evening across the west of Scotland due to scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms.

Significant surface water impacts are possible across Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, Tayside, West Centr    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook - Wednesday 17 June

Significant disruption is possible on Wednesday across the south west of Scotland and into Argyll due to heavy showers and thunderstorms. Minor disruption is also possible across parts of the Central Highlands, Tayside and Central Scotland.

Significant surface water impacts are possible across parts of Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire and    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook - Tuesday 16 June

Significant disruption is possible on Tuesday across the south west of Scotland due to heavy showers and thunderstorms. Minor disruption is also possible across parts of the Central Highlands and Tayside with further disruption possible on Wednesday.

Significant surface water impacts are possible across parts of Dumfries and Galloway, wes    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook - Friday 21 February

The weather across the country remains unsettled over the weekend and into next week, with wind and rain affecting most of western and central Scotland.

Rivers are high in many areas and the ground is saturated with standing water on many fields and roads. This means that the rain we are seeing will keep rivers high, and will cause them t    Read the full statement

Storm Dennis - flooding outlook Monday 17 February

Mark McLaughlin, SEPA's Duty Flood Manager, said:

"While Storm Dennis is now leaving Scotland, there will still be frequent showers and strong winds today.

"River levels are now falling across Scotland but they remain high and catchments are wet.

"Heavy, and in some places prolonged, showers are forecast throughout Monday an    Read the full statement

Storm Dennis - flooding outlook Sunday 16 February

​As Scotland continues to feel the impacts of Storm Dennis, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) continues to deliver expert Flood Forecasting, Warning and Informing, with Floodline providing live flooding information 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Read the full statement

Storm Dennis - flooding outlook Saturday 15 February

Yesterday we started to experience the impacts of Storm Dennis, and flood risk will become more widespread today as the storm moves across Scotland, with further heavy rain.

Mark McLaughlin, SEPA’s Duty Flood Manager, said:

"There is significant river flood risk across the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway due to a combina    Read the full statement

Storm Dennis - Severe Flood Warnings issued for Scottish Borders

As Storm Dennis continues to impact Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued Severe Flood Warnings for the Scottish Borders.

SEPA's Flood Duty Manager, Mark McLaughlin, said:

"Severe Flood Warnings for areas in the Scottish Borders have been issued tonight as we continue to see rivers respond to the im    Read the full statement

Storm Dennis - flooding outlook Friday 14 February

Storm Dennis will bring strong winds, creating significant coastal and river flooding impacts across much of the country over the next two days.

Mark McLaughlin, SEPA’s Duty Flood Manager, said:

“Today we are anticipating bands of rain, which will be heavy at times. The main impacts are likely to be localised river and surface wate    Read the full statement

Flooding update: Tuesday 11 February 2020

For the most up-to-date Flood Alerts and Flood Warnings in place see https://floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates/

Nigel Goody, SEPA's Duty Flood Manager, said:

“Strong winds today mean an ongoing risk of coastal flo    Read the full statement

Flooding update: Monday 10 February 2020

For the most up-to-date Flood Alerts and Flood Warnings in place see https://floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates/

Nigel Goody, SEPA's Duty Flood Manager, said:

“While rain in many places is now turning to snow, continued strong winds over Read the full statement

Flooding outlook : 11:00 Sunday 9th February 2020

Flooding outlook : 11:00 Sunday 9th February 2020

15 Regional Flood Alerts & 60 Local Flood Warnings are now in force from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Nigel Goody, SEPA's Duty Flood Manager, said:

"Overnight and across today, Storm Ciara has continued to batter Scotland with a dangerous c    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook : 18:00 Saturday 8 February 2020

Flooding outlook : 18:00 Saturday 8 February 2020

15 Regional Flood Alerts & 19 Local Flood Warnings are now in force from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Nigel Goody, SEPA's Duty Flood Manager, said:

"Storm Ciara has arrived with a dangerous combination of high tides, high storm surge & high inshore wave    Read the full statement

Storm Ciara flooding outlook 8 - 10 February 2020

Storm Ciara will bring strong winds, creating tidal surges and high waves over the weekend.

The combination of high tides and sustained winds will create an unusual and dangerous combination of tide, storm surge and inshore waves, similar to the impacts felt during Storm Brendan last month. There is a risk of coastal flooding to communiti    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook Thursday 16 January 2020

Weather conditions across Scotland are improving, however throughout Thursday, rain is expected, clearing from the West this evening with a few showers following for Thursday night. Coastal gales will ease later in the day.

Read the full statement

Flooding outlook Wednesday 15 January 2020

While Storm Brendan has now passed, high winds continue to affect most of Scotland’s coastline.

Throughout the rest of today the continued combination of sustained winds driving large inshore waves and storm surge, in addition to naturally high tides, will result in an ongoing flood risk.

We have seen impacts to business, communiti    Read the full statement

Storm Brendan - flooding outlook Tuesday 14 January 2020

The effects of Storm Brendan continue to be felt by Scotland’s coastal communities with an unusual and dangerous combination of high tide, storm surge and inshore waves. Overnight we have seen the highest sea levels in 15 years along parts of the west coast, bringing property floo    Read the full statement

Storm Brendan - flooding outlook 13 and 14 January 2020

Storm Brendan will bring strong winds, creating storm surges and high waves over the next two days.

The combination of high spring tides and sustained winds will create an unusual and dangerous combination of tide, storm surge and inshore waves. There is a risk of coastal flooding of road and rail routes in all Scotland’s coastal areas. W    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook Sunday 12 January 2020

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is urging people to be prepared ahead of some stormy conditions expected across the start of next week, with a risk of flooding to all Scotland's coastal areas.

The Met Office has forecast strong and sustained winds from Monday morning, 13 January, through much of the week. Combined with n    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook Saturday 11 January 2020

Heavy rain continues in the morning and early afternoon of Saturday 11 January. Flooding of low lying agricultural land and minor roads are being experienced, along with difficult driving conditions, some road closures and other travel impacts.

Although rainfall will ease through the day, flooding of main transport routes and communities    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook 10 January 2020

Heavy rain is forecast by the Met Office on Saturday 11 January. Flooding of low lying agricultural land and minor roads is expected across much of the country, along with difficult travelling conditions.

Whilst impacts are possible anywhere, areas in Tayside and the Western Borders are likely to see the largest river flows with impacts i    Read the full statement