Flood warning issued for Borders town

Flooding last weekend at the old Tweed bridge between Selkirk and Galashiels.

That warning, put out by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, is for the Eddleston Water at Peebles.

The parts of the town identified as being most at risk are Crossburn Caravan Park, March Street Lane, Cuddyside and Biggiesknowe.

Owners of any vehicles parked in those locations, Cuddyside in particular, are being advised to move them to higher ground.

Householders fearful of flooding are being advised that Scottish Borders Council’s nearest sandbag store is at the fire station in Caledonian Road.

For updates, go to floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates

Today’s flood warning follows more than a dozen issued for the region last weekend ahead of Storm Ciara leaving several roads and riverside areas under water and causing damage to flood defences in Jedburgh and the collapse of a building alongside the River Teviot in Hawick.

It also follows an amber warning for heavy rain in the Borders tomorrow, February 15, issued by the Met Office.

It’s accompanied by a lower-level general flood alert for the region.

The agency spokesperson added: “This alert is for flooding from surface water and rivers.

“On Friday, rain and snow-melt will bring a risk of flooding due to surface water. This may cause localised flooding of land and roads and local disruption to travel.

“There are likely to be difficult driving conditions.

“Further rain and snow-melt is expected on Saturday, causing river levels to continue to rise. In some areas, impacts could be worse than on Friday.

“Impacts could continue into Sunday.”

Borderers are being advised to be wary over the weekend and to take extra care if travelling.

Scottish Government transport, infrastructure and connectivity secretary Michael Matheson said: “The Met Office is expecting Storm Dennis to bring another period of adverse weather this weekend, with heavy rain and strong winds forecast for much of Saturday and Sunday and into Monday morning.

“The conditions will bring potential for disruption on the trunk road network, as well as other modes of transport, so it’s important people plan their journeys before they set off.

“Motorists should make sure their routes are available, follow travel advice from Police Scotland and drive to the conditions.

“Details of any wind-based closures for bridges on trunk road network are available from the Traffic Scotland service.

“The Traffic Scotland Twitter page is regularly updated and the mobile website my.trafficscotland.org lets people get the latest information on the move.

“If you are planning to travel by train, ferry or plane, please check with your operators to see if the conditions are having any impact on your services.”

Agency flood duty manager Mark McLaughlin added: “Storm Dennis brings flood risk across much of the country, with the most widespread impacts expected across Dumfries and Galloway, the Scottish Borders, Ayrshire, Arran and west central Scotland.

“We are also expecting to see significant coastal flood impacts on the west coast, in particular in the Solway Firth and along the Ayrshire coast due to high tides, storm surge and large waves.

“The latest flooding information and advice on how to be prepared will be shared across the weekend.

“The agency provides live flooding information, and you can sign up for free flooding messages at www.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates or call 0345 988 1188.”