Fifteen flood warnings covering almost all of Tayside’s main rivers and several of the region’s biggest towns are in force following an overnight downpour.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) says that water levels along sections of the rivers Tay, Isla, Earn, Tummel, Ericht, Lyon and South Esk are all higher than normal due to the weather conditions.
The organisation had warned of dangers posed by surface water and overflowing watercourses as a result of the “persistent” rainfall which moved into the local area on Wednesday.
A weather front associated with Storm Diana hit Scotland with a downpour and 70mph winds.
The River Isla at Coupar Angus and the Upper Tay near Aberfeldy have been singled out by the organisation, with the latter town’s golf course and caravan park both highlighted as being at risk.
Areas near Pitlochry and Blairgowrie are also at risk.
Perthshire farmland in all areas falling under the warnings are also expected to be affected.
Sepa flood warnings, which are more serious than the alerts issued, have been issued for the following areas:
Perth and Kinross
River Isla at Coupar Angus
The Upper River Tay
Aberbothrie
Glen Lyon
Ballinluig to Logierait
Crieff to Innerpeffray
Bridge of Ruthven to Leitfie area.
Pitlochry to Ballinluig
Logierait to Jubilee Bridge
Kemphill to Bridge of Isla
Innerpeffray to Bridge of Earn
Carse of Lennoch to Lochlane
Blairgowrie to the River Isla
Angus
Kinnaird/Bridge of Dun
Finavon and Tannadice
River levels had been expected to “remain high overnight” into Thursday.
Sepa’s Upper Tay flood warning states: “Levels on the Upper Tay are expected to respond to the persistent rainfall during Wednesday. River levels are expected to rise during the late afternoon and remain high overnight into Thursday.
“There is a risk of flooding to low lying agricultural land. There is also a risk of water encroaching on to the Aberfeldy Golf Course and Aberfeldy Caravan Park.”
Flood alerts also remain in place covering Dundee, Angus and the Tayside region.
A Met Office yellow warning for “heavy rain” remains in place across Tayside and Fife until 2pm on Thursday; with another for wind, warning of gusts of up to 65mph, enduring until 5pm.
Overnight, the Tay Road Bridge was closed to double-decker buses and a 30mph speed limit was in place. All restrictions were lifted on Thursday morning.
Double-decker buses have been banned from taking to the Forth Road Bridge and the Queensferry Crossing due to the conditions.
A warning for drivers taking to the Friarton Bridge near Perth was lifted on Thursday morning.
In Carnousite, the weather has forced the closure of the town’s Station Road railway crossing.
More to follow.
