HILLFOOTS communities will be able to prepare better and take action sooner to protect from flooding, thanks to a three-day forecast.

The Scottish Flood Forecast was launched at an event in Tillicoultry today, February 8, with Clacks volunteers, who helped develop the service, on hand.

Representatives from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the Met Office, the Scottish Flood Forum, environment minister Mairi McAllan, Provost Donald Balsillie and flood protection volunteers from the Hillfoots gathered at the Ben Cleuch Centre for the event.

Developed by SEPA and the Met Office, the forecast is to provide the earliest indication possible of when and where flooding is expected in the next three days – and whether the source is from rivers, surface water or – a little less likely in Clacks – the sea.

It was developed following extensive research, involving the public and community flood groups – such as the ones standing ready to protect people and homes in Menstrie, Alva and around Tillicoultry.

Gail Walker, of Tillicoultry, Devonside & Coalsnaughton Flood Group (Tideco), spoke in front of a crowd and TV cameras at the launch event.

 

FLOOD FORECAST: The service was launched during an event at the Ben Cleuch Centre in Tillicoultry

FLOOD FORECAST: The service was launched during an event at the Ben Cleuch Centre in Tillicoultry

 

The Wee County woman is all too familiar with the havoc flooding can bring, having been forced to leave her Tillicoultry home in 2008 after a wave of water spilled inside.

Back then, she and her husband Michael had but 15 minutes to evacuate, only managing to take their two cats and her handbag.

Gail told the Advertiser on the day: “It's going to be valuable because it will give three days' forecast in advance and it's not just what the weather is doing, it's ground conditions and everything else that we need in order to form an informed assessment of how we need to respond as a volunteer group.”

She emphasised the importance of having a good idea on what the ground conditions are when heavy rain is expected – if the ground is already saturated, flooding is more likely.

Tideco was one of the groups working with SEPA and partners to bring the forecast about.

Gail and the volunteers had a chance to influence how information is presented by the service, ensuring data is modelled in the most useful way possible.

“They took onboard most of our ideas and I think they've done a great job in terms of what's come out,” she continued.

“It's simple, it's clear – it's chart-oriented so at a glance you can see three days in a row.

“It's been a phenomenally useful development, just in terms of engaging with flood groups to begin with to try and understand the kind of information we need when we try and assess flood risk and then initiating the volunteer response on the ground.”

Tillicoultry Burn and the River Devon both have a history of flooding while the town has also seen surface water and sewerage flooding in recent years.

At the event, environment minister Mairi McAllan spoke of the devastating impact flooding can have on lives and businesses.

 

FLOOD FORECAST: The service was launched during an event at the Ben Cleuch Centre in Tillicoultry

FLOOD FORECAST: The service was launched during an event at the Ben Cleuch Centre in Tillicoultry

 

Where risks cannot be removed, resilience needs to be built, she explained.

The minister said: “The impact of the climate emergency, across the world and here in Scotland, means that flooding will be more frequent.

“That is why it’s so important that we increase community resilience and take action to manage flood risk.

“The Scottish Flood Forecast will give people a three day look ahead to help make plans for travel and ensure safety and is a product of the excellent partnership working between SEPA and the Met Office.”

Visit the Scottish Flood Forecast.