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Ann
26-Oct-06, 14:55
NORTHERN CONSTABULARY via www.hi-ways.org (http://www.hi-ways.org) 26th Oct 2006
POLICE continue to co-ordinate the response to the major incident in the Force area due to flooding.
All agencies are working closely together to deal with the issues effectively.
Police must stress that this is an ongoing incident with more extreme weather predicted for later today.
As such, the situation remains unpredictable with 80mph winds and rain forecast for later in the day. The worst of the wind is expected in Caithness and Sutherland and possibly the Orkney Islands.
Highland and Islands Fire and Rescue Service has dealt with around 160 calls since 9am this morning in the Ross and Cromarty areas. Teams operating out of Dingwall Fire Station are assisting crews in relation to flooding. HIFRS are also assisting the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in relation to the evacuation of affected housing in the Burn Road area of Dingwall.
The Highland Council has confirmed it has established a second reception centre (the Jubilee Hall) in Evanton, in addition to one set-up earlier at Dingwall Academy. A number of people have been evacuated in the Dingwall and Evanton areas and are being looked after by social work and housing officials and supported by the WRVS. The Highland Council is also looking into arranging potential hotel accommodation should people be forced to remain outwith their homes overnight.
Scottish Water have advised the local authority that inevitably some sewerage will have mixed with flood water. Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and Environmental Health are looking at the issue, however, the public must be advised not to enter flood water if at all possible.
Scottish and Southern Energy are working closely with the emergency services in the affected areas. It has been necessary to turn off power to a small number of houses in the centre of Dingwall in order that necessary work take place.
Anyone with any concerns in relation to their supplies can contact the S&SE Emergency Hotline number on 0800 300999. S&SE are also keen to stress that any members of the public who see anything that they consider dangerous should stay clear and call the helpline.
Transerv are working closely with emergency services at the incident room and remind motorists that when they come across a road closed sign they should not ignore it as this may put themselves or others in danger. For information in relation to the affected area's trunk roads people can visit Traffic Scotland website - www.trafficscotland.org (http://www.trafficscotland.org) Transerv operatives have been working overnight on the network and would like to reassure the public that they are on location in the affected areas.
Superintendent Andy Cowie, who is co-ordinating the emergency response to the incident, said this afternoon: "This ongoing incident has affected most of the mainland area of the Force, involving a large number of our communities, particularly in the smaller towns and villages north of Inverness.
"The changing weather situation continues to give us some concern, however, all agencies are working closely together to try to ensure minimum disruption to people's lives. However, we ask for their forebearance as we move through the day into another phase of this ongoing incident.
"I would urge people to take heed of Police warnings and not to travel through road closed signs for their own and the safety of emergency services personnel. Updates through the media are given frequently and people should tune into local radio and television where they will be able to see and hear the situation develop."
A full update on further road closures will be given through the Police information line of 01463 720398.
ends

Kingetter
26-Oct-06, 15:01
Good update Ann, thanks.