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Upgraded alerts system launched for flood-threatened Borders

David KnoxBBC Scotland News
Getty Images A house with water flowing past its front wall. There are trees in front of it and nearby and a car parked in front. The lights are on in one of the front rooms and the hallway.Getty Images
The warning system gives householders time to better protect their properties from flooding

Flood protection experts believe they are more prepared than ever to provide warnings to at-risk communities across the country.

The Scottish Borders is the latest region to have its early warning systems upgraded ahead of expected downpours throughout autumn and winter.

A full review and recalibration of data and monitoring was completed earlier this year, using the latest rainfall and water-level data.

Now every at-risk householder in the region is being encouraged to sign up for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's (Sepa's) improved flood forecasting and alerts system.

A blonde haired woman with glasses, wearing a green top, stands in front of a river
Karin Bloodworth said the flood alerts were as accurate as they could be

Team manager Karin Bloodworth said: "A lot of work has gone into making these alerts as accurate as possible - we're using the best available data from our rivers."

The latest government figures warn that one in eight properties across Scotland is under threat from flooding.

Despite two major flood defence schemes being completed in the Borders, at Selkirk and Hawick, thousands of low-lying properties in the area remain at risk.

SEPA hope the expansion of flood warning areas and updated modelling will provide earlier and more accurate alerts.

A bearded man, wearing a dark jacket, holds an inflatable device on a river
Sepa hydrologist Jack Gillespie at the Tweed monitoring station in Peebles

Bloodworth added: "There are a lot of upgrades going on - especially here in Scottish Borders where we're going into the first autumn and winter with our improved Scottish Borders flood warning service.

"Our flood alerts are wider messages - regional based - which can give you the first indication whether flooding could happen.

"We do aim to get these out, anything between 12 and 48 hours before the event - they can be followed then by flood warnings using more locally observed information.

"We've now got updated flood models that can help with the predictions and are monitored 24/7."

A grey-haired man wearing a high-viz jacket looks at the camera
Assistant emergency planning officer Brian McFarlane has seen the damage flooding can cause

The more targeted warning system has been welcomed by emergency planning officers in the Borders.

As well as Sepa's flood alerts providing early warnings for householders they also trigger local authorities and the emergency services to prepare for potential problems.

Brian McFarlane, assistant emergency planning officer for the Borders said: "I have seen first-hand the devastation that flooding causes - people being out of their homes for over a year.

"To be given warning is vitally important and I would encourage everybody to sign up to Sepa's flood alert scheme and make sure their contact details are up to date.

"It gives you that early heads up, so you can put out any flood protection equipment that you have in your house."

Getty Images A bowling green flooded by waterGetty Images
Sports clubs as well as households in Peebles are often affected by flooding

Gauging stations along all rivers in the Borders are continuously collecting data to help hydrologists understand the relationship between levels and water flow.

When combined with rainfall information and weather forecasts, computer modelling allows for specialist judgements to be made over potential flooding.

Sepa team manager Bruce Campbell said: "All of that work happening behind the scenes helps us build the best possible picture of developing flood risk and provides useful information to communities and first responders across Scotland."