Engineers are on standby in Perth as the River Tay reaches worryingly high levels.
Flood gates have been kept shut amid fears that the river, which runs through the city centre, could overflow and swamp nearby roads.
Tayside Contracts workers have been stationed on Tay Street to assess the situation. They have come prepared with truckloads of flood barriers and sand bags.
The River Tay in @PerthCityCentre today as #StormDesmond bears down on the country.
Stay safe everyone. pic.twitter.com/rmYA90hhrK
— Serendipity (@Serendipity805) December 5, 2015
Large pieces of debris, include branches and a hay bale, have been spotted flowing along the river.
With heavy rain forecast to continue into Sunday, there are concerns that if the water gets too high, the first Perth bridge may have to close.
.@WindyWilson88 River Tay in #Perth. Wait for the hay bale. #Desmond pic.twitter.com/qxx0niTjZD
— Stewart Riddick (@StewartRiddick) December 5, 2015
Perth and Kinross Council said there is a high demand for sandbags across the region and are now only providing them for free when “absolutely necessary”.
Bags were issued to residents in Alyth on Friday after fears this weekend’s storm could cause a repeat of July’s flooding.
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