Live Updates: The River Don has officially reached its highest water level on record.
Disruption on roads, rails and in the air this evening as severe weather continues to batter the North-east.
Disruption on roads, rails and in the air this evening as severe weather continues to batter the North-east.
Inverurie and Kintore have been upgraded to a "Severe Flood Warning" the highest level of alert.
Communities there and in Aberdeen along the banks of the Rivers Don and Dee are bracing themselves for more flooding.
SEPA have this evening told us that the River Don has officially reached its highest water level on record.
Council officials have advised those living in lower residential areas close to the River Don, and in particular the Grandholm area, to seriously consider evacuating their homes as water levels continue to rise across the city.
Residents are advised to seek shelter with friends and family where they can, or alternatively, a respite centre has been set up at the Bridge of Don Academy.
Police Scotland are advising that there is a HIGH RISK OF DISRUPTION and advising caution on all routes due to surface water and flooding, particularly in the Deeside/Donside and the Mearns.
There is currently an Amber (Be Prepared) warning in place for rain for the Grampian region.
CLOSED: B977 Fintray-Kintore, the road is completely submerged B974 Banchory-Fettercairn, flooding on the low section south of Strachan Bridge B976 Ballater-Banchory, South Deeside Road at Inchmarnoch, due to damage at Inchmarnock (or Ballaterach) Bridge. The road is closed between the B968 junction from Aboyne west to Ballater B976 between Dinnet Bridge and Aboyne Bridge, due to flooding B979 between Hatton of Fintray and Blackburn, due to flooding B993 between Inverurie and Whiterashes, due to flooding B9005 Methlick-Ellon, between Methlick and Ythanbank, due to flooding B974 between Marykirk and the A90, due to flooding B9170 Inverurie to Oldmeldrum, near Portstown Farm A939 Cock Bridge- Tomintoul Forrit Brae, Bucksburn A920 Huntly-Dufftown, at Dummuir turnoff, road blocked following a landslip B9119 Crossroads to Ordie, Tarland, at Leys between Tarland and Ordie B979 Westhill to Peterculter (Entire route)
PASSABLE WITH CARE: A97 Huntly-Rhynie is affected by surface water, but passable with care. B9094 Aboyne- Bridgend, between Tarland and Aboyne, is affected by surface water A944 Dunnecht-Sauchen, between Kirkton Homes and Sachen, road passable by 4x4 only A93 Cults-Peterculter (North Deeside Road), affected by flood water, one lane open. A947 Fyvie - Turriff between Inverythan and Fyvie. Passable with 4x4 only. A93 Banchory - Aboyne Between Potarch Bridge and Kincardine O'Neil. Passable with 4x4 only B977 Bridge of Don to Parkhill Entire route, Passable with 4x4 only.
The heavy rain the surface water caused the closure of the runway at Aberdeen Airport. We're told a shorter runway has been reopened to allow all departing flights to leave but all arrivals have been cancelled.
There are currently 2 Severe Flood Warning, 1 Flood Alert and 6 Flood Warnings for Aberdeenshire
- Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City - Flood Alert - Stonehaven - Flood Warning - Milltown and The Meadows - Flood Warning - Marykirk - Flood Warning - Maryculter - Flood Warning - Kintore - Severe Flood Warning - Inverurie - Severe Flood Warning - Ballater - Flood Warning
Aberdeen City Council have advised residents of Gandholm to evacuate. Bridge of Don Academy has been opened as a rest centre.
A list of essentials items and advice has been drawn up for residents taking shelter at Bridge of Don Academy:
- Change of warm clothing and blankets - Toiletries and everyday medicines - If appropriate, baby clothing, nappies and associated toiletries - Special foods - Important documents, immediate valuables and important telephone - numbers of friends and relatives - Baskets or cages and leads for pets - Personal items such as glasses, mobile telephone, keys, cash or credit - cards - Make sure fires are out and turn off gas, water and electricity. Allow - adequate ventilation prior to turning them back on - Secure your property
Residents with flood concerns should contact environmental services on 0845 6080919 or 01224 219281.
Sandbags are available for all residents within the city at three locations - the West Tullos, Bucksburn and Culter depots.
The River Don has officially reached its highest water level on record according to SEPA.
SEPA have, this afternoon upgraded Inverurie to a SEVERE FLOOD WARNING.
"This means that extensive flooding is expected to properties and businesses including those in Port Elphinstone, along Old Canal, and Inverurie Paper Mill. The Waste Water Treatment Works and railway line will also be significantly affected. Many roads, including the B993, will be impassable in and around Inverurie."
"River levels will significantly exceed those experienced in 2002 and 2009 and are not expected to peak until the early hours of Friday morning. Be aware that flooding impacts will also extend up the River Urie where levels are expected to be the highest in recent history. Stay away from flood water and do not take unnecessary risks. Some evacuations have been advised; please follow any advice provided by the emergency services."
Kintore has also seen it's Flood Warning upgraded to the highest level.
This means that extensive flooding is expected to properties and businesses including those in Castle Hill and Kingsfield Road. Many roads, including the B977, will be impassable in and around Kintore.
River levels will significantly exceed those experienced in 2002 and 2009 and are not expected to peak until the early hours of Friday morning. Stay away from flood water and do not take unnecessary risks. Some evacuations have been advised; please follow any advice provided by the emergency services.
SEPA have said;
"Heavy rainfall and hill snow will affect much of Scotland on Thursday, especially over eastern Tayside, Angus and Aberdeenshire. While the rain will become more showery across the southwest, it will persist in north eastern areas where very high totals of up to 80mm are expected during the next 24 hours.
"The saturated conditions across Aberdeenshire, Tayside and Angus will mean that there is a likelihood of significant flooding during Thursday and overnight into Friday. The prolonged heavy rain overnight and throughout today is causing river levels to rise again with peak times expected to be late on Thursday night and early Friday morning.
"Particular concern today is focused on flood prone areas close to the River Don and River Deveron, which could potentially see severe flooding impacts. Other areas at risk of significant flooding impacts today include the River Isla, the lower Tay and Angus rivers.
"Significant flooding impacts are likely to be widespread across the north east in general with flooding expected to affect communities and cause disruption to infrastructure and travel.
"The overall risk of flooding is expected to fall as we move into the weekend. However due to river levels remaining high, there remains the potential for significant impacts if further significant rain occurs.
Over twenty Schools across Aberdeenshire closed early today during the severe weather. We'll have the latest on any closures tomorrow on the Northsound 1 Breakfast show and right here on the Northsound 1 website.
We're updating the latest on Twitter @northsoundnews.