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Scotland flooding: Alert system launched for the east coast Scotland flooding: Alert system launched for the east coast
(35 minutes later)
A flood alert service has been launched for the east coast of Scotland covering areas from the Borders to Angus. A flood warning service has been launched for the east coast of Scotland as several flood alerts have also been put in place across the country.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said residents could sign up for warnings for 28 areas around the firths of Forth and Tay. The new Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) warning system covers 28 areas form the Borders to Angus.
The alerts, an extension of Sepa's existing Floodline warnings, are sent direct to mobile phones.The alerts, an extension of Sepa's existing Floodline warnings, are sent direct to mobile phones.
The east coast was battered by strong winds and heavy seas in December, causing extensive damage and flooding. Strong winds and heavy seas battered the east coast in December, causing extensive damage and flooding.
Dr David Pirie, Sepa's director of science and strategy, said: "We are delighted to launch the new coastal flood warning service for the firths of Forth and Tay. The href="http://floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates/" >flood alerts for Monday have been put in place for Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire and Arran, Caithness and Sutherland, Central, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee and Angus, Orkney, Scottish Borders, Skye and Lochaber, Tayside, West Central Scotland, Wester Ross and the Western Isles.
The alerts indicate that "Flooding is possible, be prepared".
Launching the new warning system, Sepa's Dr David Pirie said: "We are delighted to launch the new coastal flood warning service for the firths of Forth and Tay.
"It represents a major investment in building community resilience to coastal flooding."It represents a major investment in building community resilience to coastal flooding.
"As we saw before Christmas, this can cause significant disruption and damage so it's vital we are aware and prepared for it.""As we saw before Christmas, this can cause significant disruption and damage so it's vital we are aware and prepared for it."
Protect homesProtect homes
Communities along the estuaries on the east coast in Angus, Tayside, Fife, Falkirk, Edinburgh, East Lothian and the Borders are covered by the service.Communities along the estuaries on the east coast in Angus, Tayside, Fife, Falkirk, Edinburgh, East Lothian and the Borders are covered by the service.
The alerts cover the likelihood and timing of any flooding threat.The alerts cover the likelihood and timing of any flooding threat.
They are aimed at giving people time to take action to protect their homes and businesses and to allow people travelling through flooded areas to make alternative arrangements.They are aimed at giving people time to take action to protect their homes and businesses and to allow people travelling through flooded areas to make alternative arrangements.
Sepa estimates there are 125,000 properties at risk from flooding in Scotland, the equivalent of one in 22 homes and one in 13 businesses.Sepa estimates there are 125,000 properties at risk from flooding in Scotland, the equivalent of one in 22 homes and one in 13 businesses.
Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse added: "This new scheme is a crucial step to make sure local communities are informed and ready well in advance of any potential flooding."Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse added: "This new scheme is a crucial step to make sure local communities are informed and ready well in advance of any potential flooding."
People can register for alerts using their postcode at sepa.org.uk/floodingsignup or by calling 08459 881 188.People can register for alerts using their postcode at sepa.org.uk/floodingsignup or by calling 08459 881 188.