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Storm Babet: Hundreds of Brechin residents being evacuated

About 335 homes in the town, along with 87 homes in Tannadice and Finavon, are affected.

The water in the River South Esk in Brechin is already high as Storm Babet hits.
The water in the River South Esk in Brechin is already high. Image: Ben MacDonald/DC Thomson

Hundreds of Brechin residents are being evacuated as the town is hit by Storm Babet.

About 335 homes in Brechin, along with 87 homes in Tannadice and Finavon, are affected.

It comes after a red “danger to life” warning for rain was issued.

Emergency shelters are being set up at Brechin Community Campus, Forfar Community Campus and Montrose Sports Centre from 3pm.

Those impacted are being asked to take sleeping bags, medication and other supplies.

The River South Esk running alongside River Street. Image: Ben MacDonald/DC Thomson

A spokesperson for Angus Council said: “Over the past few days, resilience colleagues have been working with Sepa to identify areas at most risk of flooding, due to the unprecedented level of rain that is expected to fall across Angus.

“As a result, we have identified approximately 335 homes in Brechin, and an additional 87 homes in Tannadice and Finavon where residents will be asked to evacuate for their own safety.

“In preparation of such a situation, rest centres have been set up at Brechin Community Campus, Montrose Sports Centre and Forfar Community Campus which will open at 3pm to support those affected and we are working closely with colleagues from Angus Health and Social Care Partnership to identify vulnerable residents who will require additional support.”

An emergency shelter is being set up at Brechin Community Campus. Image: Ben MacDonald/DC Thomson

The red warning for rain comes into force at 6pm on Thursday and runs until noon on Friday, and has now been extended into Dundee and Perthshire.

Sepa has also issued a severe flood warning for Brechin.

The evacuation comes after Angus Council was criticised for its response to flooding in the town last year.

Residents hit out when it emerged pumps were not turned on during a severe storm.

Two of the three pumps in the multi-million pound defences were not activated in time.

Brechin is bracing for the river potentially bursting its banks. Image: Ben MacDonald/DC Thomson

Angus Council said at the time decisions had to be made to prioritise saving lives, not property.

The then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon later admitted in Holyrood the pumps had not works as they should have.

But she said the scheme had saved more than 300 homes from being hit by flooding

The £16.3 million defence officially opened in 2016.

It was built to protect parts of the town from the River South Esk during periods of severe flooding.

Follow all the latest updates on Storm Babet with our live updates.

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