Aberdeenshire weather alerts: November 18, 2022
Update 18:00
REMINDER! SEPA have escalated flood warnings for Ballater, Kemnay, Kintore and Inverurie to SEVERE. Please read those alerts if you live in the area and take steps now to protect your properties.
River water level peaks are reaching peak height - NOW is the time to protect your properties!
Our Roads team are restocking sandbags as much as they can for known flooding hotspots and our friends at Moray Council are kindly helping with supplies. Locations can be found on our dedicated web page at www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/weather-alert/
The Aberdeenshire Council Contact Centre will have extended operating hours from 5pm to 9pm tonight (Fri) on 03456 081205.
Rest Centres
We’ve stood up rest centres at the V&A Halls in Ballater, Inverurie Community Campus and Kemnay Academy to provide a place of safety for those in need – there will be hot beverages, food being provided by our school catering teams, and sleeping bags and mats for overnight stays if required. We have taken the decision to stand down the rest centre at Aboyne Academy and please note Kemnay Academy is not for overnight accommodation.
Our rest centres will also enable people to charge phones to keep in close contact with family and friends during this weather event.
In some communities, there are facilities being opened by local groups. Here are their details https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/communities-and-events/community-councils/community-council-contacts
If you know of vulnerable people in your area, please pay them a visit – our home care visitors are struggling to get to some locations and are appealing for community support.
Roads update
Our roads teams have made this this useful map of closures. Remember, this is what we know and there may be a number of small roads impassable which don’t appear on this.
Again, our message to people is do not travel in light of the ongoing weather conditions - many roads are impassable or passable only with care and some have been closed entirely for your safety.
If you do have to venture out, please drive carefully and to conditions, we’ve had reports of people ploughing through flooded roads and pushing water towards properties and into homes which is causing real concern.
Our Roads teams have been out clearing drains throughout the day and that work is continuing.
Please stay informed - follow SEPA and our own channels for the latest updates, listen to the weather forecasts and news reports – stay safe
Service weekend round-up
Live Life Aberdeenshire has confirmed that Aboyne & Deeside Community Education Centre will remain closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Inverurie Community Campus is being used as a rest centre so normal activities are cancelled, however we will still accommodate a pre-booked swimming gala.
The Ready2Go Around Inverurie bus service will operate as normal tomorrow (Sat) but will be subject to delay and individual cancellations as necessary. For more details visit https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/public-transport/ready2go-inverurie/
All Household Recycling Centres are due to open as normal tomorrow.
Links and information
Flood warnings - https://floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates/
Council sandbag locations - https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/environment/flooding/sand-bags/
Go to Ready.scot for practical tips and advice – and check in on those you know who may not have digital connections http://bit.ly/RainandFlooding
Rain and flooding advice - http://bit.ly/RainandFlooding
Emergency council housing repairs phone number - 03456 081203
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Update: 14:00
IMPORTANT! SEPA have now escalated flood warnings for Ballater, Kemnay, Kintore and Inverurie to SEVERE. Please read those alerts in you live in the area and take steps now to protect your properties.
Our roads teams have made this useful map of closures. Remember, this is what we know and there amy be a number of small roads impassable which don’t appear on this.
We are opening rest centres. These will be open to be places of safety for anyone needing help and unable to stay in their home. They will stay open as required.
Ballater – Victoria and Albert Hall Open now.
Aboyne – Academy Open now.
Inverurie – Community Campus
Kemnay – Academy
In some communities, there are facilities being opened by local groups. Here are their details https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/communities-and-events/community-councils/community-council-contacts
Live Life Aberdeenshire facilities in Aboyne, Huntly and Inverurie, and Turriff will not open today, (Aboyne and Huntly wouldn’t open until lunchtime normally, Inverurie is closing at 2 and Turriff at 2:30). The locations are either being used to support rest centres or the staff will be deployed to help in the community.
KEY MESSAGES
River water level peaks will reach peak height later today, some around lunchtime and some later into the afternoon. NOW is the time to protect your properties!
Council sandbag locations are below and Roads teams are actively re-stocking supplies where there may be shortfall.
Avoid travel if possible, and if you are out and about drive with care.
Please respect closure notices, some roads may be closed for safety.
Go to Ready.scot for practical tips and advice – and check in on those you know who may not have digital connections http://bit.ly/RainandFlooding
As part of their resilience planning, a number of community groups also have their own stocks of sandbags and flood plans. Details in the links section below.
Lots of roads impassable or passable only with care. Please respect any road closure notices.